Mapleys/Mableys in Lancashire

The economic development of Cheshire during the industrial revolution, and the propsering port city of Liverpool, brought with is migration - and the Mapleys/Mableys followed.

Two family clusters emerged - the expanding railways and relocation of railway works from Wolverton, near Newport Pagnell, to Crewe, brought families to the Crewe/Nantwich/Monks Coppenhall area. From 1861 onwards we see first a blacksmith and a machine engineer re-locate, but the increase in Crewe's population ten-fold attracted skilled and commercial Mapleys.

Liverpool's growing importance as a strategic port, entry point from the Americas, brought with it a military nuance, and a Mapley was stationed aboard a port defence ship of the Royal Navy during the American Civil War. Over time, further shipping needs attracted commerce and this people.

By the 1900's, commerce centred on the Liverpool - Manchester corridor, with the associated railway network, brought Mapleys/Mableys from the south, with their skills.