NameCensus.

UK surname

Winsley

From a meadow of gorse bushes or from a willow grove.

In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Winsley surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 167, ranked #22,055, down from #16,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Salcombe Regis, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Bath and North East Somerset and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Winsley is 198 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.6%.

1881 census count

142

Ranked #16,012

Modern count

167

2016, ranked #22,055

Peak year

1861

198 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Winsley had 142 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016, ranked #22,055.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 198 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Winsley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Winsley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Winsley 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 122 #14,966
1861 historical 198 #12,114
1881 historical 142 #16,012
1891 historical 188 #15,609
1901 historical 186 #15,839
1911 historical 152 #17,712
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 144 #22,221
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 157 #20,884
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 171 #19,953
2004 modern 161 #20,840
2005 modern 167 #20,296
2006 modern 168 #20,368
2007 modern 161 #21,201
2008 modern 155 #21,956
2009 modern 164 #21,628
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 171 #21,303
2013 modern 177 #21,170
2014 modern 176 #21,413
2015 modern 173 #21,542
2016 modern 167 #22,055

Geography

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Where Winsleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Salcombe Regis, London parishes, Manchester and Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Bath and North East Somerset, Breckland and South Oxfordshire. 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 Salcombe Regis Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 002 Mendip
2 Bath and North East Somerset 023 Bath and North East Somerset
3 Breckland 009 Breckland
4 South Oxfordshire 005 South Oxfordshire
5 Bath and North East Somerset 021 Bath and North East Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Winsley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Winsley

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Winsley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Winsley 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Winsley 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

Winsley is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Winsley falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Winsley 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 Winsley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Winsley

The surname Winsley is of English origin, first appearing in the historical records of the United Kingdom. The earliest roots of Winsley can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, roughly around the 8th to 11th centuries. Derived from a combination of Old English words, the surname Winsley likely originates from the words "wine," meaning friend, and "leah," meaning clearing or meadow. Thus, Winsley can be interpreted to mean "friend's clearing" or "friend's meadow."

Geographically, Winsley is associated with specific areas in England, particularly in the counties of Wiltshire and Herefordshire. One of the earliest references to a place named Winsley can be found in Wiltshire, listed as Wineslege in the Domesday Book of 1086. This historical record, which was commissioned by William the Conqueror, is among the first documents where the name Winsley appears in a written form.

The surname Winsley begins appearing in written records from the late medieval period. In 1327, a man named John de Winesleye is documented in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset. These rolls were essentially tax records, indicating that John de Winesleye was a person of some means. This example reflects the earliest forms of the surname and its variant spellings.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Winsley. Thomas Winsley (1564-1624), a clergyman in the Church of England, served as a rector in the early 17th century. Another noteworthy figure is Richard Winsley (born 1723), a merchant who played a significant role in the trade between England and the American colonies during the 18th century.

During the 19th century, the name can be seen in the world of literature. Mary Winsley (1787-1845) was an English poet whose works were celebrated for their emotional depth and exploration of rural life. Additionally, Samuel Winsley (1802-1873) made a name for himself in the field of engineering, contributing to several significant infrastructure projects during the Victorian era.

In more recent historical contexts, Henry Winsley (1850-1909) was a prominent figure in British politics, serving as a Member of Parliament for a constituency in the West Midlands. His contributions to social policy and education reform were particularly noteworthy.

The various mentions of the surname Winsley across different periods demonstrate its enduring presence in English history. Its origin as a surname connected to a specific locale provides insight into the lifestyle and occupations of its early bearers. Over time, the Winsley name has been associated with significant contributions to religion, commerce, literature, engineering, and politics, highlighting the diverse paths taken by individuals bearing this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Winsley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Winsley 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. Middlesex leads with 29 Winsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.09x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 29 2.09x
Devon 28 9.71x
Somerset 18 8.07x
Lancashire 15 0.91x
Hampshire 10 3.52x
Surrey 9 1.33x
Dunbartonshire 6 16.12x
Shropshire 6 5.01x
Staffordshire 5 1.07x
Yorkshire 4 0.29x
Gloucestershire 3 1.10x
Lanarkshire 2 0.45x
Northumberland 2 0.97x
Nottinghamshire 2 1.07x
Dumfriesshire 1 3.27x
Sussex 1 0.43x
Worcestershire 1 0.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Castleton in Lancashire leads with 10 Winsleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.94x.

Place Total Index
Castleton 10 60.94x
Midsomer Norton 9 428.57x
Exeter St Mary Major 7 402.30x
St Marylebone London 7 9.47x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 6 441.18x
Dumbarton 6 115.83x
Northwood 6 148.51x
Enfield 5 55.01x
Enville 5 1351.35x
Lambeth 5 4.14x
Portishead 5 301.20x
Salcombe Regis 5 1851.85x
Topsham 5 367.65x
Willesden 5 38.28x
Leyburn 4 869.57x
Portsea 4 7.19x
Chelsea London 3 7.19x
Salford 3 6.21x
Bethnal Green London 2 3.32x
Exeter Holy Trinity 2 176.99x
Glasgow 2 2.51x
Islington London 2 1.49x
Manchester 2 2.71x
Montacute 2 487.80x
Nottingham St Mary 2 4.14x
Puddington 2 2000.00x
Sidmouth 2 121.21x
St George Hanover 2 11.06x
Bermondsey 1 2.43x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 40.49x
Bristol St Michael 1 42.92x
Camberwell 1 1.13x
Churchstanton 1 285.71x
Clist St George 1 769.23x
Edmonton 1 8.96x
Farnham 1 19.05x
Hexham 1 31.35x
Kidderminster Foreign 1 39.06x
Martock 1 68.97x
Newington 1 1.95x
North Shields 1 24.33x
Seaton 1 90.09x
St George Martyr 1 42.92x
St Giles In Fields 1 20.92x
Taunton St James 1 30.77x
Tundergarth 1 454.55x
Uffculme 1 116.28x
Westbury On Trym 1 10.87x
Whitchurch 1 196.08x
Withyam 1 100.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Ellen 6
Annie 5
Eliza 5
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 4
Catherine 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Alice 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Isabella 2
Maria 2
Ann 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Dora 1
Elizth. 1
Evilyn 1
Fanny 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Keziah 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Mable 1
Matilda 1
Phoebe 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Winsley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Winsley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Winsley surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Winsley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016. That gives Winsley a modern rank of #22,055.

What does the Winsley surname mean?

From a meadow of gorse bushes or from a willow grove.

What does the Winsley map show?

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