NameCensus.

UK surname

Arliss

A variant form of the first name Alice, originating from England.

In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Arliss surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 167, ranked #22,055, down from #18,026 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Louth, London parishes and St Luke. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Lincolnshire, East Lindsey and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Arliss is 178 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.7%.

1881 census count

117

Ranked #18,026

Modern count

167

2016, ranked #22,055

Peak year

1998

178 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Arliss had 117 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,026 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016, ranked #22,055.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 156 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Arliss surname distribution map

The map shows where the Arliss surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Arliss surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Arliss over time

The 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 73 #20,581
1861 historical 60 #26,313
1881 historical 117 #18,026
1891 historical 123 #20,939
1901 historical 119 #20,624
1911 historical 156 #17,421
1997 modern 167 #19,722
1998 modern 178 #19,452
1999 modern 168 #20,312
2000 modern 157 #21,146
2001 modern 154 #21,122
2002 modern 156 #21,348
2003 modern 152 #21,486
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 135 #23,297
2006 modern 134 #23,590
2007 modern 139 #23,377
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 150 #23,309
2012 modern 150 #23,264
2013 modern 155 #23,108
2014 modern 161 #22,728
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 167 #22,055

Geography

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Where Arliss' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Louth, London parishes, St Luke, Sheffield and Skegness. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Lincolnshire, East Lindsey, Shropshire and Scarborough. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Louth Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Luke London (Central Districts)
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Skegness Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Lincolnshire 002 North East Lincolnshire
2 North East Lincolnshire 011 North East Lincolnshire
3 East Lindsey 003 East Lindsey
4 Shropshire 018 Shropshire
5 Scarborough 011 Scarborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Arliss

These lists show first names that appear often with the Arliss surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Arliss

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Arliss, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Arliss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Arliss household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Arliss is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Arliss is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Arliss falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Arliss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Arliss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Arliss

The surname Arliss is of English origin, emerging during the medieval period in the county of Somerset. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ærles" meaning "grounds" or "meadows," and the suffix "-ing" which denoted belonging or association. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived or worked on lands characterized by meadows or grassy fields.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arliss can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1268, where it appears as "Arles." This document, which recorded financial transactions and tax records, indicates that the name was already established in the region during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Arles," "Arlys," and "Arlyss" in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327. This suggests that the spelling was not yet standardized and was subject to regional variations.

During the 16th century, the name began to take on its modern spelling of "Arliss." One notable bearer of the name was John Arliss, a merchant who lived in Bristol in the late 1500s. His will, dated 1594, provides valuable insight into the life and affairs of an Arliss during the Elizabethan era.

In the 17th century, the Arliss family appears to have been well-established in Somerset, with records showing several members of the family owning land and properties in the region. One prominent figure was Thomas Arliss (1628-1689), a landowner and magistrate in the town of Bridgwater.

As the Arliss family grew and spread throughout England, they left their mark in various fields. In the 18th century, Samuel Arliss (1737-1808) was a notable clockmaker and watchmaker in London, known for his intricate and precise timepieces.

The 19th century saw the emergence of George Arliss (1868-1946), a renowned English actor and author who achieved great success on both stage and screen. He was knighted in 1925 for his contributions to the arts and is considered one of the most influential actors of his time.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John Arliss (1914-1986), a British diplomat who served as the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Nations from 1975 to 1979. His career in diplomacy spanned several decades and included postings in various countries around the world.

Throughout its history, the surname Arliss has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and societal fabric of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Arliss families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Arliss surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 43 Arliss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.57x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 43 23.57x
Middlesex 21 1.84x
Yorkshire 16 1.41x
Worcestershire 12 8.05x
Cambridgeshire 6 8.30x
Essex 6 2.66x
Kent 4 1.03x
Lancashire 3 0.22x
Devon 2 0.84x
Surrey 2 0.36x
Norfolk 1 0.57x
Staffordshire 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Louth in Lincolnshire leads with 22 Arliss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 526.32x.

Place Total Index
Louth 22 526.32x
Tealby 9 3461.54x
Sheffield 8 22.22x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 56.98x
Fulham London 6 36.25x
Northfield 6 212.01x
Upperswinford 6 476.19x
West Ham 6 12.07x
Clerkenwell London 5 18.57x
Skegness 5 961.54x
Chesterton 4 179.37x
Lewisham 4 19.27x
Skirbeck 4 392.16x
Salford 3 7.53x
St Luke London 3 16.39x
Clapham 2 14.02x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 10.93x
St George Hanover Square 2 9.95x
St Marythe Great 2 869.57x
Tottenham 2 11.01x
Boston 1 18.05x
Bradford 1 3.65x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 4.35x
Hackney London 1 1.56x
Ratcliffe London 1 15.87x
Shadwell London 1 31.35x
Spittlegate 1 39.68x
Spridlington 1 909.09x
West Bromwich 1 4.54x
Wood Norton 1 909.09x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Arliss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ann 6
Mary 6
Elizabeth 4
Annie 3
Edith 3
Emily 3
Sarah 3
Adelaide 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Helen 2
Sophia 2
Alice 1
Bertha 1
Catherine 1
Charlott 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Cordelia 1
E. 1
Eliza 1
Ethell 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Ivy 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Rose 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Arliss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 6
Charles 5
George 5
William 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Christopher 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Frederick 2
Abednego 1
Chas.H. 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
J. 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Peter 1
Sidney 1
Simern 1
Walter 1
Ward 1
West 1

FAQ

Arliss surname: questions and answers

How common was the Arliss surname in 1881?

In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Arliss surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Arliss surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 167 in 2016. That gives Arliss a modern rank of #22,055.

What does the Arliss surname mean?

A variant form of the first name Alice, originating from England.

What does the Arliss map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Arliss bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.