Find out how popular the last name Belsley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Belsley.

Belsley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Belsley surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Belsley in America

Belsley is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Belsley surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Belsley.

The history of the last name Belsley

The surname Belsley is believed to have its origins in England, emerging around the Middle Ages. The name may have been derived from geographical locations, taking its form from towns or villages. It is likely a toponymic surname, stemming from the Old English elements "Bels" meaning "bells" and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow, suggesting the family may have originated from or lived near a place associated with bells or a distinctive clearing.

The Belsley surname appears in historical records, though it is less common, making it more difficult to track comprehensively. One of the earlier occurrences of the name appears in 14th-century records from Sussex, England, though no specific documents like the Domesday Book include this surname explicitly. Some historical variations include Belsleigh and Bellesleigh, indicating a link to specific locales or manorial estates in pre-modern England.

One notable individual bearing the Belsley surname was Edward Belsley, an English landowner recorded in court documents from the mid-1500s, around 1545. His possession of land in Sussex suggests the family had some degree of local prominence. Another historical figure is Thomas Belsley, documented in the Parish Registers of Gloucestershire in the early 17th century, circa 1620, indicating the family's spread across Southern England by this time.

Anne Belsley, a well-to-do widow recorded in Sheffield's estate and property documents in 1703, indicates the surname's continued association with local gentry over the centuries. Anne's recorded transactions provide a glimpse into the socio-economic status of the family during that period. An example from literary history includes John Belsley, an 18th-century publisher and printer known for his literary contributions in London, flourishing around 1750-1780. His works remain a testament to the involvement of the Belsley family in the cultural fabric of England.

Lastly, Robert Belsley, a prominent figure involved in the early 19th century, around 1820, served as a local magistrate in Derbyshire. His records in local government documents highlight the family's continuing engagement in public and civic duties. Overall, the Belsley surname reflects a rich tapestry of geographical origins, historical variances, and contributions spanning several centuries, predominantly within England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Belsley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Belsley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Belsley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Belsley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Belsley, please contact us.

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