UK surname
A variant spelling of Bailey, a habitational name from a place name derived from Old French for "bailiff".
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Billey surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, Sporle with Palgrave and Willersey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Billey is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.4%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Billey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Billey 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 | 48 | #24,615 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 77 | #27,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, Sporle with Palgrave, Willersey, Toxteth Park and St James Clerkenwell. 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 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Sporle with Palgrave | Norfolk |
| 3 | Willersey | Worcestershire |
| 4 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 5 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Billey 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 Billey, 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 Billey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Billey 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, Billey 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 Billey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Billey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BILLEY is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "bilie" and "leah," meaning "hill by the lea or meadow." It is believed to have originated in the 12th century in the county of Gloucestershire, England.
During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled as "Bileye" or "Bilegh." It is thought that some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname BILLEY was Sir John Billey, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 14th century. He was known for his involvement in the wool trade and his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a hospital in Bristol.
In the 16th century, a family by the name of BILLEY was recorded as residing in the village of Billey, located in the county of Warwickshire. This village is believed to have derived its name from the BILLEY family, suggesting their long-standing presence in the area.
Another significant individual with the surname BILLEY was William Billey, who was born in 1625 and served as a member of the British Parliament during the reign of Charles II. He was a staunch supporter of the monarchy and played a crucial role in the restoration of the Stuart dynasty.
In the late 18th century, a renowned poet and writer named Mary Billey gained recognition for her collection of romantic poems and her involvement in literary circles. She was born in 1765 and lived until 1842, leaving a lasting impact on the literary landscape of her time.
Throughout the 19th century, the BILLEY surname began to spread across various regions of England, with families settling in areas such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire. Some notable individuals from this period include Robert Billey, a successful businessman and philanthropist born in 1820, and Elizabeth Billey, a pioneering educator who established a school for underprivileged children in London in 1875.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Billey 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. Gloucestershire leads with 11 Billeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 11 | 13.69x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.69x |
| Dorset | 7 | 26.04x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 1.23x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 6.51x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.80x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 2.20x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.50x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Willersey in Gloucestershire leads with 10 Billeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Willersey | 10 | 16666.67x |
| Clerkenwell London | 7 | 72.39x |
| Winfrith Newburgh | 7 | 5384.62x |
| Oldham | 5 | 31.87x |
| Islington London | 4 | 10.08x |
| Bray | 2 | 222.22x |
| Swansea Town | 2 | 34.19x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 4.25x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.39x |
| Packington | 1 | 625.00x |
| Toddington | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 25.38x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Billey 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 Billey 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 Billey households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Baker & Grocer | 1 |
| Brush Maker | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carpenter And Publican | 1 |
| Carpenter And Publican Wife | 1 |
| Carpenters Apprentice | 1 |
| Cotton Operative | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Laborer Wife | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Independant | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Painter & Glazier | 1 |
| Painter & Glazier Wife | 1 |
| Publican | 1 |
| Retired Painter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Billey surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Billey a modern rank of #36,679.
A variant spelling of Bailey, a habitational name from a place name derived from Old French for "bailiff".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Billey 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.