NameCensus.

UK surname

Winkley

A surname derived from an English place name meaning "the winding meadow".

In the 1881 census there were 412 people recorded with the Winkley surname, ranking it #7,814 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 374, ranked #12,490, down from #7,814 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Eccles and Harrow-on-the-Hill. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hyndburn, Kirklees and East Hertfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Winkley is 516 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 9.2%.

1881 census count

412

Ranked #7,814

Modern count

374

2016, ranked #12,490

Peak year

1911

516 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Winkley had 412 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,814 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016, ranked #12,490.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 516 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Winkley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Winkley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Winkley 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 309 #7,449
1861 historical 287 #8,773
1881 historical 412 #7,814
1891 historical 435 #8,279
1901 historical 458 #8,593
1911 historical 516 #7,651
1997 modern 424 #10,531
1998 modern 434 #10,694
1999 modern 444 #10,555
2000 modern 442 #10,597
2001 modern 424 #10,740
2002 modern 418 #11,084
2003 modern 404 #11,191
2004 modern 399 #11,297
2005 modern 393 #11,335
2006 modern 396 #11,338
2007 modern 393 #11,526
2008 modern 385 #11,828
2009 modern 407 #11,556
2010 modern 401 #11,973
2011 modern 393 #12,017
2012 modern 377 #12,238
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 381 #12,426
2015 modern 373 #12,519
2016 modern 374 #12,490

Geography

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Where Winkleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Eccles, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hyndburn, Kirklees, East Hertfordshire and South Somerset. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Eccles Lancashire
3 Harrow-on-the-Hill Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hyndburn 003 Hyndburn
2 Hyndburn 001 Hyndburn
3 Kirklees 055 Kirklees
4 East Hertfordshire 001 East Hertfordshire
5 South Somerset 001 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Winkley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Winkley

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Winkley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Winkley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Winkley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Winkley is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Winkley falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Winkley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Winkley

The surname Winkley originates from England, with evidence suggesting it emerged during the medieval period. The name is a locative surname, meaning it is derived from a place where the original bearers of the name lived or held land. It is believed that the name Winkley may be linked to places named Winkley or Winckley in England. The etymology of the name likely stems from Old English words, with "winc" meaning a corner or nook and "leah" referring to a wood or clearing, indicating that Winkley means "clearing in the corner" or a similar geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded references to this surname can be found in historical documents from the 13th century. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mentioned a Hugh de Wynkele, indicating a notable presence. The Domesday Book, completed in 1086, does not mention the surname directly, but it does list similar localities and land holdings that might have given rise to the name.

The spelling of Winkley has varied over the centuries, with historical documents also showing versions such as Winckley, Wyncly, and Wynkele. Variations in spelling were common in medieval England due to the lack of standardized spelling and the phonetic transcription of names.

One notable individual with the surname was John Winkley, born in 1523, who is documented as a landholder in Warwickshire, England. His family maintained a significant position in the local gentry throughout the 16th century. Another prominent individual was Sir Thomas Winkley, born in 1580, who served in the court of King James I and was known for his contributions to early English settlement efforts in America.

A further significant figure with the surname was Robert Winkley, an influential merchant in London during the 17th century. Born in 1643, he contributed to the burgeoning trade networks of the time and was engaged in the shipping industry, helping to establish England's global trade dominance.

Additionally, Elizabeth Winkley, born in 1730, was known for her charitable works. She founded several educational institutions aimed at improving literacy among the underprivileged in her hometown of Lancashire, marking her as a key figure in the social reform movements of the 18th century.

Benjamin Winkley, born in 1801, was another noteworthy individual who emigrated to the United States and became an inventor and entrepreneur. He held several patents and was influential in the development of early American manufacturing, particularly in the textile industry in New England. His contributions to industrial advancements demonstrate how the surname found prominence even across the Atlantic.

Throughout history, the Winkley surname has been associated with numerous individuals who made notable contributions to their communities and fields of work. This indicates a rich heritage and a legacy of influence extending over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Winkley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Winkley 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. Lancashire leads with 147 Winkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.09x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 147 3.09x
Lincolnshire 40 6.24x
Middlesex 37 0.92x
Surrey 34 1.74x
Warwickshire 28 2.77x
Norfolk 25 4.06x
Yorkshire 23 0.58x
Cambridgeshire 19 7.48x
Essex 11 1.39x
Aberdeenshire 9 2.42x
Cheshire 8 0.90x
Staffordshire 7 0.52x
Glamorgan 5 0.72x
Huntingdonshire 4 5.03x
Morayshire 4 6.42x
Kent 3 0.22x
Hertfordshire 2 0.72x
Berkshire 1 0.33x
Cornwall 1 0.22x
Devon 1 0.12x
Rutland 1 3.40x
Wiltshire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 31 Winkleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.49x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 31 24.49x
Clitheroe 25 178.57x
Spalding 23 180.82x
Aston 14 5.03x
Walpole St Peter 12 769.23x
Lambeth 11 3.15x
Worsley 11 37.52x
Birmingham 10 2.97x
Harrow 10 163.13x
Aberdeen Old Machar 9 11.61x
St Pancras London 9 2.79x
Billington 8 412.37x
Chorlton On Medlock 8 10.59x
Southwark St Saviour 8 38.84x
West Ham 8 4.58x
Little Hulton 7 88.83x
Stretford 7 26.75x
Accrington 6 13.87x
Crumpsall 6 53.52x
Donington 6 260.87x
March 6 70.59x
Sproatley Wyton 6 1071.43x
Turton 6 77.02x
Ecclesfield 5 17.16x
Elm 5 200.80x
Hammersmith London 5 5.06x
Handsworth 5 14.99x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 5 27.01x
Newington 5 3.38x
Stockport 5 10.98x
Swansea Town 5 8.74x
Walsoken 5 134.77x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 11.17x
Camberwell 4 1.56x
Clifton 4 112.04x
Elgin 4 33.00x
Harrow On The Hill 4 49.94x
Chiswick 3 13.69x
Doddington 3 161.29x
Golcar 3 28.57x
Goosnargh 3 194.81x
Great Bolton 3 4.76x
Holbeach 3 42.02x
Hunslet 3 4.84x
Preston 3 2.36x
Surfleet 3 225.56x
Thornley Cum Wheatley 3 625.00x
Wisbech St Peter 3 23.57x
Yaxley 3 161.29x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.15x
Bowdon 2 56.98x
Emley 2 112.36x
Harbury 2 121.95x
Islington London 2 0.51x
Lichfield St Michael 2 47.06x
Middleton 2 165.29x
Ramsgate 2 8.96x
Rishton 2 35.84x
Salford 2 1.43x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.48x
Southwark St Olave 2 65.36x
Sutton St Mary 2 33.00x
West Bergholt 2 135.14x
Bideford 1 11.19x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.30x
Burnley 1 2.50x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 1 31.75x
Garford 1 212.77x
Hackney London 1 0.44x
Hillingdon 1 7.82x
Holt 1 47.39x
Kenilworth 1 17.54x
Little Carlton 1 434.78x
Marske In Guisbrough 1 14.18x
Moulton 1 32.47x
Nether Hallam 1 1.86x
Rotherhithe 1 2.02x
St Thomas Apostle 1 71.43x
Swindon 1 3.64x
The Holy Sepulchre 1 161.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Elizabeth 15
Sarah 15
Ellen 12
Jane 10
Ann 7
Eliza 7
Emma 7
Alice 6
Martha 6
Emily 5
Margaret 5
Hannah 4
Amy 3
Annie 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Caroline 2
Elsie 2
Fanny 2
Grace 2
Henrietta 2
Mildred 2
Minnie 2
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Clarissa 1
Elisa 1
Eliz. 1
Eliz.A. 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Gussie 1
Harriett 1
Hetty 1
Hilda 1
Ina 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jemima 1
Jessy 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lucy 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 31
William 22
Henry 14
Thomas 13
James 12
Charles 9
Walter 9
Frederick 7
Joseph 7
Edward 6
Richard 6
Samuel 6
Arthur 5
George 5
Robert 4
Daniel 3
Ernest 3
Mark 3
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Harry 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Chas.R.T. 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Edw. 1
Fred 1
Fredr.H. 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Horatio 1
Houghton 1
Jacob 1
Jno. 1
Luke 1
Ralph 1
Robt. 1
S.W. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Theodre 1
Thos. 1
Wiliam 1

FAQ

Winkley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Winkley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 412 people were recorded with the Winkley surname. That placed it at #7,814 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Winkley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016. That gives Winkley a modern rank of #12,490.

What does the Winkley surname mean?

A surname derived from an English place name meaning "the winding meadow".

What does the Winkley map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Winkley 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.