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

Filley, 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 Filley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Filley in America

Filley is the 36426th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Filley surname appeared 614 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Filley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Filley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Filley

The surname Filley is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "filegild," which means "one who pays a fee or tax." This suggests that the name may have originated from someone who held a position related to collecting taxes or fees.

The earliest known record of the name Filley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Filegilede." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England, providing valuable insight into the names and locations of people at that time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Filleigh" and "Filey," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. One notable bearer of the name was John Filley, who was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1275 and served as a tax collector for the local manor.

The Filley surname has been associated with several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Somerset. The village of Filleigh, located in Devon, is believed to have derived its name from the same Old English root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and tax collection or fee payment.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Filley name gained prominence in various parts of England. One notable figure was Sir Edward Filley (1550-1622), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Taunton in Somerset. Another prominent individual was Elizabeth Filley (1592-1672), a Puritan writer and poet known for her religious works.

As the British Empire expanded, the Filley surname spread to various colonies and territories. In the 18th century, Samuel Filley (1720-1788) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the American colonies, settling in Connecticut. He played a significant role in the early development of the town of Bloomfield.

Another notable individual was William Filley (1786-1858), an American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for the state of Ohio. He was also a prominent abolitionist and played a key role in the Underground Railroad, assisting enslaved individuals in their pursuit of freedom.

Throughout its history, the surname Filley has been associated with various occupations, from tax collectors and landowners to merchants, politicians, and writers. While the name may have originated from a specific occupation or role, it has since transcended its initial meaning and become a respected surname carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Filley

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Filley 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Filley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Filley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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