UK surname
A surname derived from the German word for a bile, referring to a person with a choleric temperament.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Bile surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 53, ranked #34,727, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wigton, Northiam and Kimbleworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bile is 132 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.3%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
53
2016, ranked #34,727
Peak year
1861
132 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bile surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bile surname density by area, 1861 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 32 | #31,754 |
| 1901 | historical | 15 | #32,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 11 | #32,463 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 12 | #36,679 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 43 | #35,228 |
| 2012 | modern | 47 | #34,992 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 53 | #34,727 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wigton, Northiam, Kimbleworth, Shiffnal and Lambeth. 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 | Wigton | Cumberland |
| 2 | Northiam | Sussex |
| 3 | Kimbleworth | Durham |
| 4 | Shiffnal | Shropshire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bile 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 Bile, 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 Bile surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bile 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, Bile 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 Bile is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bile, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BILE has its roots in the Old English language and is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from the 5th to the 11th centuries. The name is derived from the Old English word "bile," which means "bile" or "bilious," referring to the digestive fluid produced by the liver.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BILE can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation conducted in England during the reign of William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Bile," "Byle," and "Bille," indicating regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.
During the Middle Ages, the surname BILE was most prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset in the southwest of England. This region was known for its fertile agricultural lands, and it is possible that the name was initially associated with individuals involved in farming or animal husbandry.
One notable figure with the surname BILE was Sir John Bile (c. 1320-1386), a prominent landowner and knight during the reign of Edward III. He was a member of the royal household and participated in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War against France.
Another individual of historical significance was William Bile (c. 1450-1520), a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. He was involved in the wool trade and held influential positions within the local government.
In the 16th century, the BILE family gained prominence in the county of Dorset, where they owned several estates and manors. One notable member was Sir Robert Bile (1542-1618), who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his military service.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, the BILE family aligned themselves with the Parliamentarian forces led by Oliver Cromwell. Captain Thomas Bile (1605-1678) fought in several battles and was later rewarded with land grants for his loyalty to the cause.
Another notable figure was Reverend John Bile (1670-1743), an Anglican clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was known for his theological writings and his contributions to the study of ancient manuscripts.
While the surname BILE has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the historical records and references mentioned above provide valuable insights into the early history and significance of this surname within the English context.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bile 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. Cumberland leads with 9 Biles recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 9 | 28.98x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 11.18x |
| Kent | 5 | 4.06x |
| Dorset | 3 | 12.67x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.70x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.83x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 2.46x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 4.24x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.26x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.64x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Keswick in Cumberland leads with 9 Biles recorded in 1881 and an index of 2250.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Keswick | 9 | 2250.00x |
| Elswick | 6 | 140.19x |
| Plumstead | 5 | 121.95x |
| Bilston | 3 | 127.12x |
| Canford Magna | 3 | 2142.86x |
| Alvechurch | 2 | 1000.00x |
| West Derby | 2 | 15.96x |
| Liscard | 1 | 69.93x |
| Manchester | 1 | 5.19x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 21.46x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.54x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 1 | 56.50x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 17.27x |
| West Dean | 1 | 1111.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bile 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 Bile 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 Bile households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Annitant | 1 |
| Apprentice Engine Fitter At Works | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Chemists Assitant | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| Fitter At Works | 1 |
| Formerly Barmaid | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant Dom | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Iron Moulder Son | 1 |
| Iron Moulder Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Merchants Clerk | 1 |
| Paper Manufacturer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Bile surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 53 in 2016. That gives Bile a modern rank of #34,727.
A surname derived from the German word for a bile, referring to a person with a choleric temperament.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bile 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.