UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "woodland clearing near a stream" in Old English.
In the 1881 census there were 149 people recorded with the Watley surname, ranking it #15,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 64, ranked #34,098, down from #15,551 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Christ Church Spitalfields and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Watley is 240 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.0%.
1881 census count
149
Ranked #15,551
Modern count
64
2016, ranked #34,098
Peak year
1861
240 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Watley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Watley surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 155 | #12,604 |
| 1861 | historical | 240 | #10,226 |
| 1881 | historical | 149 | #15,551 |
| 1891 | historical | 210 | #14,412 |
| 1901 | historical | 142 | #18,633 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 63 | #31,335 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 57 | #32,417 |
| 2001 | modern | 55 | #32,482 |
| 2002 | modern | 60 | #32,388 |
| 2003 | modern | 58 | #32,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 66 | #32,303 |
| 2006 | modern | 59 | #33,330 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 60 | #33,743 |
| 2009 | modern | 64 | #33,675 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 70 | #33,782 |
| 2015 | modern | 66 | #33,976 |
| 2016 | modern | 64 | #34,098 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes, Lambeth and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Watley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Watley, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Watley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Watley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Watley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Watley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Watley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Watley has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from an Old English place name, possibly referring to a waterly or marshy area. One theory suggests that it may have evolved from the Old English words "waet" meaning wet and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow, thus indicating a wet meadow or marshy area.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. In 1273, a John de Wateley is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, indicating that the name was already established by that time. Similar spellings such as Watleigh, Watleye, and Watteley are also found in various medieval records.
While the name does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, it is likely that it originated from a location or settlement that existed during that period or shortly after. Some historians have suggested that the name may be connected to the village of Watley in Northamptonshire, which could have given rise to the surname.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Watley. One of the earliest recorded was John Watley (c. 1450-1520), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Leicestershire. Another prominent figure was Sir Robert Watley (1572-1638), a Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire during the reign of King Charles I.
In the 18th century, Thomas Watley (1720-1786) was a renowned clockmaker and inventor from Bedfordshire, known for his innovative timepiece designs. Additionally, William Watley (1772-1845) was a prominent author and poet from Warwickshire, who published several works during the Romantic era.
One of the most notable individuals with the surname was Sir Edward Watley (1819-1887), a successful businessman and philanthropist from London. He made significant contributions to various charitable causes and was knighted for his services to the community.
These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the surname Watley throughout history, demonstrating its enduring presence and significance within the English cultural landscape.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Watley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 31 Watleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.22x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 31 | 2.22x |
| Surrey | 27 | 3.97x |
| Somerset | 13 | 5.79x |
| Wiltshire | 11 | 8.92x |
| Essex | 8 | 2.91x |
| Cumberland | 7 | 5.83x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.36x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 1.83x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 1.75x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.05x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.36x |
| Devon | 4 | 1.38x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 1.37x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 1.65x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 1.27x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 1.29x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.57x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.41x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.54x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.47x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.53x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Knowle St Giles in Somerset leads with 11 Watleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22000.00x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Watley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 9 |
| Mary | 7 |
| Ellen | 4 |
| Jane | 4 |
| Sarah | 3 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Rosina | 2 |
| Abigal | 1 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Addmund | 1 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Alineth | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Anah | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Annah | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Caraline | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Ella | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Ester | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lillia | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Ophelia | 1 |
| Rachel | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| S. | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Tottie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Watley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Watley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 20 |
| Domestic Servant | 4 |
| Carman | 3 |
| Farmers Son | 2 |
| Felt Hat Maker | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Hatter | 2 |
| Agricultural Laborer Carter | 1 |
| Basket Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Butcher Wife | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carpenters Labourer | 1 |
| Carpenters Son | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clockmaker | 1 |
| Convicted Felon | 1 |
| Cord Wainer | 1 |
| Dock Labourer | 1 |
| Domestic Ser | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Cleaner (Ry) | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Farmers Daur | 1 |
| Florist | 1 |
| Foreman Mason | 1 |
| Framework Knitter | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Gardiner | 1 |
| Gas Fitter And Bell Hanger | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Grocers Porter | 1 |
| Groom Domestic | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lamp Lighter Gas (Munic) | 1 |
| Leather Dresser | 1 |
| Light Porter | 1 |
| Looking Glass Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 149 people were recorded with the Watley surname. That placed it at #15,551 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 64 in 2016. That gives Watley a modern rank of #34,098.
Derived from a place name meaning "woodland clearing near a stream" in Old English.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Watley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.