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

Isley, 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 Isley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Isley in America

Isley is the 8736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Isley surname appeared 3,754 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Isley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Isley 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 Isley

The surname Isley has its origins in England, with roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "isil" or "iseld," meaning "iron" or "iron worker." The name likely emerged as an occupational surname given to those who worked as blacksmiths or ironmongers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Iseleia" in Hampshire, England. This entry suggests that the name may have initially been associated with a specific location or settlement before evolving into a hereditary surname.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the name appeared in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of 1166, which mention a "Robertus Iseley," and the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1275, where a "Johannes de Iseley" is listed. These records indicate that the name was well-established in different parts of England by this time.

In the 14th century, the name Isley appeared in the form "Iseleye" in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that era, as they often reflected local dialects and scribal interpretations.

Notable individuals bearing the Isley surname throughout history include:

1. William Isley (c. 1480 - c. 1550), an English merchant and benefactor who funded the construction of almshouses in Sawtry, Huntingdonshire.
2. John Isley (1682 - 1768), an English philosopher and writer who authored several works on moral philosophy and natural theology.
3. Eleanor Isley (1719 - 1804), a pioneering English educator who established one of the first schools for girls in London.
4. Robert Isley (1832 - 1901), a British explorer and naturalist known for his expeditions to the Amazon rainforest and his contributions to the study of South American flora and fauna.
5. Arthur Isley (1870 - 1942), a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

While the Isley surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, with descendants carrying on the legacy of this historically significant name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Isley

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

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

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

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