Keighley
A locality surname derived from the town of Keighley in West Yorkshire, England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Keighley. That puts it at #77,012 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Keighley surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#77,012
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
249
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 249 bearers of the surname Keighley in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 77012th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Keighley, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Keighley
The surname Keighley is an English locational name derived from the town of Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "cēgel" meaning "cockerel" and "lēah" meaning "meadow or clearing," suggesting the name may have referred to a meadow where cockerels were found or raised.
The earliest recorded mention of the name Keighley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cinghelai." This indicates the name's long-standing presence in the region and its evolution over time.
During the medieval period, the name Keighley was associated with various individuals from the town and surrounding areas. One notable example is John de Keighley, a 14th-century landowner and Lord of the Manor of Keighley, whose family held significant influence in the region.
As people migrated from Keighley to other parts of England and beyond, the surname spread and took on different spellings, such as Keighly, Keigheley, and Kighley. This variation in spelling was common before standardized spelling practices were established.
In the 16th century, records show a William Keighley born in 1520 in Yorkshire, who was a prominent merchant and landowner. Another noteworthy figure was Thomas Keighley (1692-1772), an English clergyman and author who published several theological works.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Keighley became more widespread, with bearers found in various parts of England. One such individual was John Keighley (1703-1786), a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Liverpool.
In the 19th century, the Keighley surname gained further recognition with the rise of industrialists and entrepreneurs. Henry Keighley (1806-1876) was a prominent businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Bradford, while his brother, Thomas Keighley (1808-1876), was a successful textile manufacturer and inventor.
Throughout history, the surname Keighley has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from landowners and clergymen to businessmen and politicians, reflecting the name's enduring presence in English society.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Keighley
Among Census respondents with the surname Keighley, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Keighley bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Keighley surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
- Unknown or suppressed2.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Keighley surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #84,310 | #77,012 | 8.7% |
| Count | 207 | 249 | 20.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Keighley bearers went from 207 to 249 (+20.3% change). The surname moved up 7,298 positions in the national ranking, going from #84,310 to #77,012.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Keighley
FAQ
Keighley surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Keighley?
The surname Keighley holds position #77,012 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Keighley surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Keighley, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.