NameCensus.

UK surname

Billen

A surname derived from a Germanic root meaning "hill" or "slope".

In the 1881 census there were 113 people recorded with the Billen surname, ranking it #18,412 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 183, ranked #20,813, down from #18,412 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Eling and Salisbury St Edmund. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Powys and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Billen is 201 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.9%.

1881 census count

113

Ranked #18,412

Modern count

183

2016, ranked #20,813

Peak year

2010

201 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Billen had 113 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,412 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016, ranked #20,813.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 186 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Billen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Billen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Billen 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 77 #19,998
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 113 #18,412
1891 historical 128 #20,393
1901 historical 176 #16,401
1911 historical 186 #15,643
1997 modern 182 #18,693
1998 modern 188 #18,796
1999 modern 194 #18,579
2000 modern 196 #18,431
2001 modern 196 #18,146
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 195 #18,458
2006 modern 196 #18,512
2007 modern 193 #18,923
2008 modern 200 #18,640
2009 modern 198 #19,145
2010 modern 201 #19,387
2011 modern 196 #19,538
2012 modern 184 #20,291
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 187 #20,570
2015 modern 183 #20,786
2016 modern 183 #20,813

Geography

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Where Billens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Eling, Salisbury St Edmund, Hurst and Toller Porcorum. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, West Dorset and North Dorset. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Eling Hampshire
3 Salisbury St Edmund Wiltshire
4 Hurst Berkshire
5 Toller Porcorum Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 005 Neath Port Talbot
2 Powys 015 Powys
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 018 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
5 North Dorset 004 North Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Billen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Billen

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Billen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Billen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Billen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Billen 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

Billen falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Billen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Billen

The surname Billen is believed to have originated in the Netherlands during the medieval period, likely derived from the Dutch word "bil," meaning "buttock" or "hip." It may have initially been a descriptive nickname referring to a person's physical appearance or gait.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Billen can be found in the 14th century Dutch manuscript "Kronijk van Holland," which mentions a Willem Billen from the city of Leiden. In the 15th century, the name appears in various records from the provinces of North and South Holland, suggesting its concentration in these regions.

The name Billen may also have been influenced by the Dutch place name Bilzen, a town located in the Belgian province of Limburg. It is possible that some individuals with the surname Billen originated from or had connections to this area.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, several notable individuals bore the surname Billen. In 1540, Jan Billen, a Dutch painter and engraver, was born in Rotterdam. He is known for his religious works and portraits. Another prominent figure was Pieter Billen (1568-1622), a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in still life and genre paintings.

In the 18th century, the name Billen was found in various parts of Europe. For instance, Johann Billen (1725-1798) was a German composer and organist active in the Electorate of Bavaria. Meanwhile, in France, Jean-Baptiste Billen (1764-1842) was a notable architect who designed several buildings in Paris.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Billen continued to appear in various contexts. In 1820, Johannes Billen, a Dutch theologian and author, was born in the town of Zevenhuizen. He later became a prominent figure in the Reformed Church in the Netherlands.

It is worth noting that variations and alternate spellings of the surname Billen exist, such as Bilen, Bilens, and Billens. These variations may have emerged due to regional dialects, transcription errors, or migration patterns.

Overall, the surname Billen has a rich history spanning several centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the Netherlands and potentially influenced by Dutch place names and occupational nicknames. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the name has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout Europe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Billen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Billen 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. Middlesex leads with 31 Billens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.84x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 31 2.84x
Dorset 26 36.27x
Somerset 14 7.96x
Hampshire 10 4.47x
Oxfordshire 9 13.34x
Lancashire 7 0.54x
Berkshire 6 7.32x
Wiltshire 3 3.11x
Surrey 2 0.38x
Northamptonshire 1 0.97x
Suffolk 1 0.75x
Sussex 1 0.54x
Yorkshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toller Porcorum in Dorset leads with 16 Billens recorded in 1881 and an index of 9411.76x.

Place Total Index
Toller Porcorum 16 9411.76x
Kensington London 14 23.05x
Chickerell 9 2903.23x
Hailey 9 1914.89x
Eling 8 352.42x
Mudford 8 5714.29x
Hurst 6 560.75x
Islington London 5 4.72x
St Pancras London 5 5.69x
Halsall 4 784.31x
Chard 3 140.85x
Salisbury St Martin 3 297.03x
South Mimms 3 200.00x
Northwood 2 62.70x
Pilton 2 476.19x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 3.53x
Aughton 1 78.13x
Batcombe 1 434.78x
Brighton 1 2.69x
Capel 1 200.00x
Hendon 1 25.45x
Hook 1 1666.67x
Lavenham 1 142.86x
Liverpool 1 1.27x
Northampton St Giles 1 25.58x
Penge 1 14.33x
Shoreditch London 1 2.11x
St George Bloomsbury 1 15.95x
St George In East London 1 9.74x
Warley 1 31.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Ann 4
Mary 4
Sarah 4
Charlotte 3
Emily 3
Kate 3
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Flora 2
Hannah 2
Rose 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Bethia 1
Catherine 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Frances 1
Helena 1
Jane 1
Lilly 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Rosa 1
Susannah 1
Thirza 1
Virtue 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
James 7
George 5
Henry 3
Joseph 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
John 2
Albert 1
Alva 1
Archibald 1
Ben 1
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Morgan 1
P.H. 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Sam 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Billen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Billen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 113 people were recorded with the Billen surname. That placed it at #18,412 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Billen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016. That gives Billen a modern rank of #20,813.

What does the Billen surname mean?

A surname derived from a Germanic root meaning "hill" or "slope".

What does the Billen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Billen 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.