Priestley Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Priestley Name Meaning: Derives from the Anglo Saxon words 'preost' meaning priest and 'leah' meaning meadow or similar

This name was probably given to someone who lived near a plot of land owned by a priest or was named after a place named priestley or similar.

Discover how your Priestley ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Priestley Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Priestley family

Profession Census Frequency
Female Servant 53
Worsted Weaver 53
Agricultural Labourer 49
Coal Miner 35
Stuff Weaver 34
Independent 33
Labourer 31
Weaver 31
Farmer 29
Wool Comber 27
Male Servant 21
Iron Miner 17
Cloth Dresser 15
Shoe Maker 14
Dress Maker 12
Worsted Spinner 12
Joiner 10
Cotton Piecer 9
Cotton Spinner 9
Clothier 8
Apprentice 7
Spinner 6
Inn Keeper 5
Blacksmith 5
Butcher 5

Priestley Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Priestley 100% 33,563
2 Priestly 89% 3,413
3 Prestley 89% 1,263
4 Pristley 89% 724
5 Preistley 78% 288
6 Prustley 78% 129
7 Prestly 78% 110

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The surname Priestley is the most popular version of all its varients

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