Explore the Family Name Denley
The meaning of Denley
English: habitational name from any of several places, probably so named from Old English denu ‘valley’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’. It may well be an altered form of Delly End in Oxfordshire (recorded as Denleghe in 1316) or from Denly Hill in Kent. Alternatively, the name may be derived from Dunley House in Devon, from the Old English personal name Dunna or Dūna + lēah.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Denley in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Denley experienced a slight shift between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Denley was ranked 29,728 in terms of popularity, but by 2010 it had slipped to 30,767, marking a 3.5% decrease. Despite this drop in rank, the actual count of individuals with the Denley surname increased marginally from 747 in 2000 to 757 in 2010, which corresponds to a growth rate of 1.34%. However, when measured as a proportion per 100,000 people, the popularity of the surname Denley decreased by 7.14%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #29,728 | #30,767 | -3.5% |
| Count | 747 | 757 | 1.34% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.28 | 0.26 | -7.14% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Denley
The Decennial U.S. Census also provides insight into the ethnicity associated with the surname Denley. Between 2000 and 2010, there were no recorded individuals of Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native descent with the Denley surname until 2010 where there was 1.72% identified as American Indian and Alaskan Native. The number of individuals who identify with two or more races grew by 14.91%, from 1.61% to 1.85%. The majority of individuals with the surname Denley identify as White, though this group saw a slight decrease from 77.91% in 2000 to 75.17% in 2010. The Hispanic population with this surname grew by 48.13%, while the Black population increased by 5.42%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 77.91% | 75.17% | -3.52% |
| Black | 17.54% | 18.49% | 5.42% |
| Hispanic | 1.87% | 2.77% | 48.13% |
| Two or More Races | 1.61% | 1.85% | 14.91% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 1.72% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |