NameCensus.

UK surname

Whitely

An English surname derived from a location or referring to someone of pale complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 633 people recorded with the Whitely surname, ranking it #5,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 193, ranked #20,039, down from #5,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, St Pancras and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Birmingham and Weymouth and Portland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whitely is 633 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.5%.

1881 census count

633

Ranked #5,604

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

1881

633 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whitely had 633 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 633 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Whitely surname distribution map

The map shows where the Whitely surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Whitely surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whitely over time

The 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 524 #4,784
1861 historical 350 #7,295
1881 historical 633 #5,604
1891 historical 442 #8,179
1901 historical 363 #10,145
1911 historical 158 #17,277
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 172 #19,883
1999 modern 176 #19,722
2000 modern 170 #20,120
2001 modern 166 #20,129
2002 modern 169 #20,307
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 176 #19,667
2006 modern 174 #19,921
2007 modern 167 #20,719
2008 modern 172 #20,523
2009 modern 187 #19,868
2010 modern 207 #19,007
2011 modern 202 #19,154
2012 modern 192 #19,730
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 190 #20,374
2015 modern 193 #20,056
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

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Where Whitelys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, St Pancras, Manchester, Wakefield and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Enfield, Birmingham, Weymouth and Portland and Barnet. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Enfield 014 Enfield
2 Birmingham 018 Birmingham
3 Weymouth and Portland 001 Weymouth and Portland
4 Birmingham 036 Birmingham
5 Barnet 030 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whitely

These lists show first names that appear often with the Whitely surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whitely

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whitely, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Whitely surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Whitely household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Whitely is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whitely is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whitely falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whitely is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Whitely, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Whitely

The surname Whitely has its origins in England, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon period, before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is believed to be locational, meaning it originated as a descriptor for someone from a place called Whitely or Whiteley. Several settlements in England bear similar names, such as Whiteley in Hampshire and West Yorkshire, which can be linked to the surname's origin. These names are derived from the Old English elements "hwita," meaning white, and "leah," meaning clearing or meadow.

Whitely first appears in historical records during the medieval period. One of the earliest references can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records numerous instances of place names with "leah" suffixes, although specific mentions of Whitely are scarce. Instead, the roots of the surname can be inferred from these locational names and the common linguistic practices of the time.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Whitely is that of Simon de Whitening, noted in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. The Hundred Rolls were a census initiated by King Edward I, intended to record the land ownership and resources of the kingdom. Simon de Whitening’s surname points to his origin from a place called Whitening, a phonetic variation of Whitely.

The surname appears again in the records of the 14th century. In 1332, a John de Whitely is listed in the Subsidy Rolls of York, paying taxes related to his property and assets. This document provides a glimpse into the economic activities and social standing of individuals bearing the surname during that period.

By the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Whitely had spread to various parts of England. William Whitely, born in 1580 and died in 1622, is a notable figure from this time, listed in parish records from London. He was a tradesman who owned several properties in the city, highlighting the mobility and socioeconomic rise of individuals bearing the surname.

Moving forward in history, Thomas Whitely, born in 1722 and died in 1781, was a recognized artisan in Bath, Somerset. His work as a cabinet maker was documented in local guild records, showcasing the artisan craft skills often associated with bearers of this surname during the 18th century.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Samuel Whitely, born in 1815 and died in 1876, was an influential figure in the industrial towns of Manchester. His role as a cotton mill owner during the Industrial Revolution highlights the evolution of the surname Whitely within the socio-economic fabric of England as it transitioned from agrarian to industrial society. Samuel’s contributions to Manchester’s textile industry were noted in several industrial histories and local records.

Throughout its history, the surname Whitely has been tied to the English landscape, evolving from its Anglo-Saxon roots in rural clearings and meadows to becoming an identifier for individuals involved in various significant historical periods and industries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whitely families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whitely surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 341 Whitelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.56x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 341 5.56x
Lancashire 130 1.77x
Cheshire 42 3.08x
Middlesex 32 0.52x
Lincolnshire 23 2.33x
Surrey 12 0.40x
Devon 9 0.70x
Derbyshire 8 0.83x
Kent 8 0.38x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.72x
Durham 5 0.27x
Essex 4 0.33x
Dorset 3 0.74x
Hampshire 2 0.16x
Monmouthshire 2 0.45x
Sussex 2 0.19x
Warwickshire 2 0.13x
Glamorgan 1 0.09x
Kincardineshire 1 1.33x
Royal Navy 1 1.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Huddersfield in Yorkshire leads with 26 Whitelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.12x.

Place Total Index
Huddersfield 26 29.12x
Sheffield 18 9.23x
Bowling 15 24.71x
Hunslet 14 14.65x
Leeds 14 4.05x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 14 90.56x
Oldham 14 5.91x
Bradford 13 8.76x
Holy Trinity 13 8.82x
Hyde 13 32.27x
Sowerby In Halifax 13 64.87x
Castleton 12 16.37x
Elland Cum Greetland 12 43.46x
Chester St Oswald 10 40.45x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 10 35.12x
Emley 9 328.47x
Linthwaite 9 69.88x
Plymouth Charles The 9 15.87x
Skircoat 9 37.24x
Southowram 9 48.10x
Dewsbury 8 12.73x
Glossop Dale 8 17.64x
Knottingley 8 74.28x
Radcliffe 8 22.61x
Warley 8 45.17x
Camberwell 7 1.77x
Cantley 7 593.22x
Dukinfield 7 11.10x
Hulme 7 4.57x
Moss Side 7 18.13x
Ovenden 7 25.66x
St Maryle Wigford 7 91.15x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 3.74x
Bury 6 7.16x
Chester St John Baptist 6 24.45x
Doncaster 6 13.40x
Layton With Warbreck 6 22.28x
St Pancras London 6 1.21x
Wadsworth 6 60.12x
Abram 5 88.81x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 5 22.46x
Bingley 5 12.81x
Blatchinworth 5 29.92x
Brandon Byshottles 5 21.69x
Halifax 5 5.56x
Hammersmith London 5 3.28x
Heaton Norris 5 11.97x
Holbeck 5 12.32x
Manchester 5 1.52x
Mile End Old Town 5 5.12x
Nether Hallam 5 6.03x
Wakefield 5 10.63x
Broughton 4 144.40x
Hillingdon 4 20.28x
Horton In Bradford 4 4.18x
Marsden In Almondbury 4 71.68x
Mirfield 4 11.89x
Morley 4 12.55x
Newton 4 7.07x
Radford 4 9.45x
Walmersley Cum 4 34.10x
Warrington 4 4.60x
Wuerdle Wardle 4 17.95x
Broughton In Salford 3 4.47x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 2.57x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 2.41x
Lambeth 3 0.56x
Livesey 3 23.29x
Lockwood 3 13.61x
Melcombe Regis 3 17.84x
North Bierley 3 9.07x
North Meols 3 4.18x
Sharlston 3 74.63x
Swinton In Rotherham 3 18.51x
Tottenham 3 3.05x
West Ham 3 1.11x
Widnes 3 5.67x
Woolwich 3 3.85x
Brighton 2 0.95x
Erringden 2 50.51x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Whitely surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 55
Sarah 32
Elizabeth 15
Ellen 14
Annie 13
Jane 13
Ann 12
Emma 11
Martha 10
Hannah 9
Eliza 8
Harriet 7
Alice 5
Louisa 5
Edith 4
Emily 4
Susan 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Betty 3
Elizth. 3
Anne 2
Blanche 2
Christiana 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lillian 2
Lilly 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Margret 2
Maria 2
Mercy 2
Susannah 2
Adela 1
Amy 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Dorothey 1
Eleanor 1
Elena 1
Elizebath 1
Elizebeth 1
Thurza 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Whitely surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 34
John 29
Joseph 21
George 20
James 17
Charles 14
Samuel 9
Thomas 9
Henry 8
Arthur 7
David 7
Herbert 7
Walter 6
Albert 5
Fred 5
Alfred 4
Benjamin 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Harry 3
Jabez 3
Joe 3
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Joshua 2
Lewis 2
Richd. 2
Robert 2
Sam 2
Seth 2
Tom 2
Willie 2
Ben 1
Ben. 1
Brumley 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
Eli 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Henry 1
Hy. 1
Hy.J. 1
Isaac 1
Jame 1
Jas. 1
Jno.H. 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Whitely surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whitely surname in 1881?

In 1881, 633 people were recorded with the Whitely surname. That placed it at #5,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whitely surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Whitely a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Whitely surname mean?

An English surname derived from a location or referring to someone of pale complexion.

What does the Whitely map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whitely bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.