UK surname
A topographic surname derived from a location near a small creek or stream.
In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Bilkey surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 89, ranked #32,297, down from #16,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newlyn, Feock and St Mewan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bilkey is 141 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.5%.
1881 census count
130
Ranked #16,911
Modern count
89
2016, ranked #32,297
Peak year
1911
141 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bilkey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bilkey surname density by area, 1881 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 | 98 | #17,383 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 130 | #16,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 125 | #20,061 |
| 1911 | historical | 141 | #18,571 |
| 1997 | modern | 91 | #28,215 |
| 1998 | modern | 97 | #28,054 |
| 1999 | modern | 98 | #28,050 |
| 2000 | modern | 98 | #27,988 |
| 2001 | modern | 94 | #28,246 |
| 2002 | modern | 90 | #29,314 |
| 2003 | modern | 83 | #30,088 |
| 2004 | modern | 77 | #31,024 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 83 | #30,808 |
| 2007 | modern | 82 | #31,295 |
| 2008 | modern | 83 | #31,483 |
| 2009 | modern | 86 | #31,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 82 | #32,492 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 76 | #33,191 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 81 | #32,975 |
| 2016 | modern | 89 | #32,297 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newlyn, Feock, St Mewan, St Columb Minor and Ludgvan. 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 | Newlyn | Cornwall |
| 2 | Feock | Cornwall |
| 3 | St Mewan | Cornwall |
| 4 | St Columb Minor | Cornwall |
| 5 | Ludgvan | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bilkey 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 Bilkey, 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 Bilkey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bilkey 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, Bilkey 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 Bilkey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bilkey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bilkey originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English words "bil" meaning "hill" and "cy" meaning "dwelling place." It was likely a descriptive surname given to someone who lived near or on a small hill.
The earliest known record of the name Bilkey dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Bilchey" in reference to a village in Buckinghamshire. This village name eventually evolved into the modern surname spelling of Bilkey.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bilkey was John Bilkey, born around 1420 in the village of Bilkey, Buckinghamshire. He was a landowner and farmer who lived during the Wars of the Roses.
In the 16th century, the Bilkey surname spread to other parts of England, notably to the county of Yorkshire. Records show a William Bilkey, born in 1562 in the village of Bilkey, Yorkshire, who was a merchant and trader.
Another notable individual with the surname Bilkey was Elizabeth Bilkey, born in 1634 in Oxfordshire. She was a prominent Quaker and a vocal advocate for religious tolerance during the English Civil War.
In the 18th century, the Bilkey surname gained recognition with the birth of Thomas Bilkey, born in 1712 in Northamptonshire. He was a renowned clockmaker and inventor, known for his innovative designs and precise timepieces.
During the 19th century, the Bilkey name continued to be found across various regions of England, with many individuals pursuing careers in agriculture, trade, and the emerging industrial sectors. One such individual was James Bilkey, born in 1842 in Lancashire, who was a successful cotton mill owner and philanthropist.
Throughout its history, the surname Bilkey has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, with many descendants still residing in the country and carrying on the legacy of this ancient name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bilkey 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. Cornwall leads with 115 Bilkeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 80.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 115 | 80.12x |
| Devon | 7 | 2.65x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.27x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.24x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 1.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stephen In Brannel in Cornwall leads with 36 Bilkeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2748.09x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Stephen In Brannel | 36 | 2748.09x |
| St Columb Minor | 15 | 1239.67x |
| Newlyn | 9 | 1475.41x |
| St Columb Major | 9 | 756.30x |
| St Mewan | 8 | 1818.18x |
| Holbeton | 6 | 1250.00x |
| Gwennap | 5 | 184.50x |
| St Eval | 5 | 4166.67x |
| Hulme | 4 | 12.73x |
| Madron Penzance | 4 | 76.63x |
| St Dennis | 4 | 740.74x |
| Creed Grampound | 3 | 1764.71x |
| Ludgvan | 3 | 263.16x |
| Saddleworth | 3 | 30.96x |
| Blisland | 2 | 833.33x |
| Camborne | 2 | 33.84x |
| Falmouth | 2 | 39.37x |
| Roche | 2 | 273.97x |
| St Ewe | 2 | 465.12x |
| Altarnun | 1 | 200.00x |
| Creed | 1 | 909.09x |
| Largs | 1 | 44.64x |
| Philleigh | 1 | 833.33x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 5.41x |
| Tregoney St James | 1 | 370.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bilkey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 9 |
| Jane | 7 |
| Mary | 6 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Bessie | 2 |
| Clara | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Jessie | 2 |
| Melinda | 2 |
| Philippa | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 |
| Susan | 2 |
| Alberta | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Beatrice | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Cordelia | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Helena | 1 |
| Honner | 1 |
| Jessamina | 1 |
| Jessamine | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Laurina | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lillian | 1 |
| M. | 1 |
| Nancy | 1 |
| Rachel | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Sara | 1 |
| Subena | 1 |
| Ursula | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bilkey 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 Bilkey households.
FAQ
In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Bilkey surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 89 in 2016. That gives Bilkey a modern rank of #32,297.
A topographic surname derived from a location near a small creek or stream.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bilkey 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.