UK surname
A variant of the English surname Ellis, derived from the given name Elias.
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Alliss surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Toynton All Saints, Loughton and Burton-on-Trent. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alliss is 122 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 62.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1911
122 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Alliss surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Alliss surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 62 | #26,041 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 88 | #25,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 101 | #22,726 |
| 1911 | historical | 122 | #20,245 |
| 1997 | modern | 93 | #27,932 |
| 1998 | modern | 88 | #29,131 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 86 | #29,484 |
| 2001 | modern | 84 | #29,508 |
| 2002 | modern | 84 | #29,982 |
| 2003 | modern | 82 | #30,206 |
| 2004 | modern | 82 | #30,468 |
| 2005 | modern | 76 | #31,267 |
| 2006 | modern | 78 | #31,385 |
| 2007 | modern | 85 | #30,954 |
| 2008 | modern | 84 | #31,370 |
| 2009 | modern | 86 | #31,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 85 | #32,185 |
| 2011 | modern | 88 | #31,801 |
| 2012 | modern | 85 | #32,395 |
| 2013 | modern | 86 | #32,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 81 | #32,975 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Toynton All Saints, Loughton, Burton-on-Trent, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Leake. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toynton All Saints | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Loughton | Essex |
| 3 | Burton-on-Trent | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Leake | Lincolnshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Alliss surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Alliss, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Alliss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Alliss household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Alliss is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alliss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Alliss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ALLISS originated in England, with records indicating its earliest origins dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a diminutive form of the medieval English name "Allice", which was a variant spelling of the Germanic name "Adalhaidis". This name translates to "noble and kind".
One of the earliest recorded instances of the ALLISS surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, which mentions a William Allis. The name also appears in various other medieval records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a John Alys.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the surname ALLISS began to spread across various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Bedfordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. It is likely that variations in spelling, such as Allis, Alis, and Allys, were due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.
Notable individuals bearing the ALLISS surname throughout history include John Alliss (c. 1500-1585), a prominent landowner and yeoman from Gloucestershire. Another notable figure was Thomas Alliss (1615-1679), a member of the English gentry from Worcestershire, who served as a Justice of the Peace.
In the 18th century, William Alliss (1725-1798) was a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker from Oxfordshire, known for his intricate and high-quality timepieces. His son, John Alliss (1760-1828), followed in his footsteps and became a successful clockmaker in his own right.
The ALLISS surname also has ties to several place names in England, such as Alliss Green in Gloucestershire and Alliss Farm in Oxfordshire, which may have contributed to the development and spread of the name.
In more recent history, Geoffrey Alliss (1919-2005) was a notable English professional golfer who competed in several prestigious tournaments, including the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup. His son, Peter Alliss (1931-2022), followed in his footsteps and became a renowned golf commentator and broadcaster, known for his insightful analysis and witty commentary.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alliss surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 24 Alliss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.79x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 24 | 30.79x |
| Essex | 8 | 8.31x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 3.04x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.03x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.82x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.35x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.93x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.42x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leake in Lincolnshire leads with 6 Alliss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leake | 6 | 1666.67x |
| Loughton | 6 | 1250.00x |
| Toynton All Sts | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 5 | 129.87x |
| Stickney | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Tickhill | 3 | 967.74x |
| West Keal | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Alford | 2 | 416.67x |
| Boston | 2 | 84.39x |
| Hornsey | 2 | 32.41x |
| St Stephen Coleman Street | 2 | 1176.47x |
| Algarkirk | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 7.91x |
| Bridlington | 1 | 90.09x |
| Croydon | 1 | 7.58x |
| Hessle In Sculcoates | 1 | 232.56x |
| Ingham | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Prittlewell | 1 | 75.19x |
| Tranmere | 1 | 25.25x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 28.90x |
| Wigan | 1 | 12.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alliss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Alliss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Alliss households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| General Laborer | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Ag Labs Widow | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Apprentice | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Cottager | 1 |
| Counterman (Shopkeeper) | 1 |
| Dentist And Chemist | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Grocer Employ 3 Boys | 1 |
| Grocers Wife | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Off) | 1 |
| Housekeepers Wife | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| Labourer In Iron Works | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Retired Victualler | 1 |
| Shopman Hosiery | 1 |
| Wheelwright Apprentice | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Alliss surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Alliss a modern rank of #32,971.
A variant of the English surname Ellis, derived from the given name Elias.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alliss bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.