UK surname
A surname derived from a place name referring to a wheat field or meadow.
In the 1881 census there were 492 people recorded with the Wheatly surname, ranking it #6,854 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 46, ranked #35,126, down from #6,854 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Duffield, Sandiacre, Dale Abbey and Rainham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wheatly is 582 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 90.7%.
1881 census count
492
Ranked #6,854
Modern count
46
2016, ranked #35,126
Peak year
1851
582 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wheatly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wheatly 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 | 582 | #4,383 |
| 1861 | historical | 472 | #5,507 |
| 1881 | historical | 492 | #6,854 |
| 1891 | historical | 315 | #10,669 |
| 1901 | historical | 263 | #12,717 |
| 1911 | historical | 195 | #15,197 |
| 1997 | modern | 47 | #32,975 |
| 1998 | modern | 51 | #32,816 |
| 1999 | modern | 52 | #32,848 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 43 | #33,576 |
| 2002 | modern | 45 | #33,712 |
| 2003 | modern | 40 | #34,215 |
| 2004 | modern | 39 | #34,477 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 41 | #34,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 44 | #34,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 47 | #34,856 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 47 | #34,989 |
| 2012 | modern | 46 | #35,053 |
| 2013 | modern | 45 | #35,167 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 46 | #35,126 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Duffield, Sandiacre, Dale Abbey, Rainham, St Pancras and St Mary Islington. 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 | Duffield | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Sandiacre, Dale Abbey | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Rainham | Kent |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wheatly 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 Wheatly, 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 Wheatly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wheatly 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, Wheatly 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 Wheatly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wheatly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Wheatly originates from England, with its roots tracing back to Old English. It is derived from the words "hwæte," meaning wheat, and "lēah," meaning a clearing or meadow. This combination suggests that the name was originally used to denote individuals who lived near or worked in wheat fields or clearings.
The areas where Wheatly likely originated were heavily agricultural regions where wheat farming was common. Places like Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, known for their fertile lands, may have been early centers for the surname's genesis. Historical documents from the medieval period, such as the Domesday Book of 1086, contain similar entries to the name, showcasing its antiquity and geographical spread.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname can be found in parish records from the late 13th century. A Roger de Whetley was documented in Yorkshire around 1296, indicating the name was well-established by this time. Over the centuries, variations in spelling occurred, including Whetley, Wheatley, and Wheatleigh, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic interpretations.
Throughout history, various individuals bearing the surname Wheatly have made notable contributions. John Wheatly, born in 1562, served as a Member of Parliament in England. Another early figure, Richard Wheatly, born in 1615, was a prominent landowner in Kent, showcasing the name's association with agricultural and landed interests.
In the 18th century, James Wheatly, born in 1738, became known for his involvement in the industrialization of Yorkshire, contributing to developments in milling technology. Moving to the 19th century, James Wheatly’s descendant, William Wheatly, born in 1819, continued the family tradition in agriculture but also dabbled in social reform, advocating for better working conditions for farm laborers. Another notable figure, Thomas Wheatly, born in 1848, was recognized for his work in civil engineering, contributing to the development of the British railway system.
The Wheatly name has thus seen a varied and illustrious history, deeply tied to the agrarian landscapes of medieval England and evolving through the centuries into modern times, with its bearers contributing to various fields including politics, agriculture, and engineering.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wheatly 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 68 Wheatlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.42x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 68 | 1.42x |
| Surrey | 63 | 2.69x |
| Nottinghamshire | 45 | 6.96x |
| Durham | 34 | 2.38x |
| Leicestershire | 33 | 6.20x |
| Sussex | 30 | 3.71x |
| Kent | 29 | 1.77x |
| Yorkshire | 29 | 0.61x |
| Lancashire | 23 | 0.40x |
| Oxfordshire | 18 | 6.07x |
| Warwickshire | 14 | 1.16x |
| Derbyshire | 12 | 1.60x |
| Cambridgeshire | 11 | 3.62x |
| Wiltshire | 10 | 2.36x |
| Angus | 7 | 1.57x |
| Bedfordshire | 7 | 2.82x |
| Hampshire | 7 | 0.71x |
| Hertfordshire | 7 | 2.12x |
| Essex | 6 | 0.63x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 0.37x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 0.80x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 0.43x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 0.52x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 0.56x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 0.28x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.20x |
| Somerset | 2 | 0.26x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 0.34x |
| Fife | 1 | 0.35x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.06x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.16x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 0.29x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.14x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 0.22x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 0.46x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Molesey in Surrey leads with 17 Wheatlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 313.65x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wheatly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 28 |
| Elizabeth | 18 |
| Sarah | 18 |
| Annie | 10 |
| Jane | 9 |
| Emma | 8 |
| Emily | 7 |
| Anne | 6 |
| Eliza | 6 |
| Ellen | 6 |
| Alice | 5 |
| Ann | 5 |
| Hannah | 5 |
| Isabella | 5 |
| Catherine | 4 |
| Clara | 4 |
| Louisa | 4 |
| Margaret | 4 |
| Martha | 4 |
| Ada | 3 |
| Frances | 3 |
| Lucy | 3 |
| Anna | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Charity | 2 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Lily | 2 |
| Lizzie | 2 |
| Lydia | 2 |
| Maria | 2 |
| Rosa | 2 |
| Selina | 2 |
| Betsy | 1 |
| Betty | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elizebeth | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Emlie | 1 |
| Ethel | 1 |
| Henryetta | 1 |
| Hester | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Karin | 1 |
| Katey | 1 |
| Victoria | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wheatly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 28 |
| George | 22 |
| John | 22 |
| Thomas | 18 |
| Henry | 13 |
| James | 11 |
| Albert | 10 |
| Charles | 10 |
| Arthur | 8 |
| Edward | 8 |
| Alfred | 6 |
| Joseph | 6 |
| Robert | 5 |
| Harry | 4 |
| Samuel | 4 |
| Fred | 3 |
| Frederick | 3 |
| Richard | 3 |
| Thos. | 3 |
| Benjamin | 2 |
| David | 2 |
| Edwin | 2 |
| Ernest | 2 |
| Francis | 2 |
| Jesse | 2 |
| Ralph | 2 |
| Sam | 2 |
| Earnest | 1 |
| Edmund | 1 |
| Elijah | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Fred. | 1 |
| Fredrick | 1 |
| Geo. | 1 |
| Guy | 1 |
| Harold | 1 |
| Herbert | 1 |
| Hry. | 1 |
| Leopold | 1 |
| Llewellyn | 1 |
| Luke | 1 |
| Mark | 1 |
| Marshall | 1 |
| Morgan | 1 |
| Paul | 1 |
| Reuben | 1 |
| Rhuben | 1 |
| Robt. | 1 |
| Ronald | 1 |
| Wm. | 1 |
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 Wheatly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 100 |
| Ag Lab | 11 |
| Labourer | 9 |
| Annuitant | 6 |
| Housemaid | 5 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Domestic Servant | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 4 |
| Lace Work | 4 |
| Laundress | 4 |
| Blacksmith | 3 |
| Butcher | 3 |
| Carpenter | 3 |
| Farm Labourer | 3 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Grocer | 3 |
| Joiner | 3 |
| Mariners Wife | 3 |
| Wife | 3 |
| Basket Maker | 2 |
| Cook | 2 |
| Cotton Doubler | 2 |
| Dairyman | 2 |
| Domestic | 2 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 2 |
| Gardener | 2 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Nurse Domestic | 2 |
| Pauper | 2 |
| Straw Plaiter | 2 |
| Wife Of Bargeman | 2 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Blacksmiths Wife | 1 |
| Block & Mast Maker | 1 |
| Bookfolder | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Carpenter & Joiner | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Clerk (Railway Agents) | 1 |
| Coach Smith | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coachman Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dommestic Servt | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Dyer | 1 |
| Worsted Spinner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 492 people were recorded with the Wheatly surname. That placed it at #6,854 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 46 in 2016. That gives Wheatly a modern rank of #35,126.
A surname derived from a place name referring to a wheat field or meadow.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wheatly 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.