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

Nedley, 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 Nedley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nedley in America

Nedley is the 61436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nedley surname appeared 327 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 Nedley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nedley 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 Nedley

The surname Nedley is of English origin, first emerging in the medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "neadlaec," which translates to "necessary place" or "place of need." This suggests that the name may have originated from a location or settlement that served as a crucial meeting point or resource for the local community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nedley can be traced back to the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document mentions a Peter de Nedlee, indicating that the name was already in use during that time period. Some variations in spelling, such as Nedleigh and Nedleye, were also found in historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries.

The Nedley surname is closely associated with the county of Bedfordshire, where it is believed to have originated. Several place names in the region, such as Neadley and Nedley End, are thought to be linked to the surname's roots. These locations were likely named after the families or individuals who resided there, further solidifying the connection between the name and the area.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the Nedley surname is Sir Thomas Nedley (1546-1618), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire in the late 16th century. Another prominent individual was Richard Nedley (1624-1692), a Puritan minister and educator who played a significant role in the establishment of Harvard College in the American colonies.

In the 18th century, John Nedley (1708-1784) was a successful merchant and trader in London, known for his extensive business dealings with the East India Company. His grandson, William Nedley (1765-1832), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the British textile industry, owning several mills in Lancashire.

Moving into the 19th century, Caroline Nedley (1823-1901) was a notable author and poet, whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience. Her collection of poems, "Echoes from the Heart," published in 1874, garnered critical acclaim and established her as a prominent voice in the literary world of that era.

While the Nedley surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich historical roots and associations with various regions and individuals throughout the centuries make it a fascinating subject for research and exploration into the origins and meanings of surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nedley

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

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

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

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