NameCensus.

UK surname

Billins

A surname derived from an Old English personal name combining the elements "bil" meaning sword or battle-axe and "wine" meaning friend or companion.

In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Billins surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 114, ranked #28,515, up from #28,715 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Castle Point, Barnet and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Billins is 114 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 225.7%.

1881 census count

35

Ranked #28,715

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2016

114 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Billins had 35 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,715 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Billins surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Billins surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Billins 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 53 #23,739
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 35 #28,715
1891 historical 38 #31,330
1901 historical 44 #29,276
1911 historical 49 #27,894
1997 modern 89 #28,490
1998 modern 97 #28,054
1999 modern 102 #27,468
2000 modern 97 #28,142
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 91 #29,181
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 103 #29,589
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 113 #28,502
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 112 #28,809
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Billins' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Castle Point, Barnet, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Windsor and Maidenhead. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Castle Point 012 Castle Point
2 Barnet 038 Barnet
3 Hillingdon 025 Hillingdon
4 Hounslow 015 Hounslow
5 Windsor and Maidenhead 018 Windsor and Maidenhead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Billins

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Billins

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Billins surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Billins household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Billins is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Billins is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Billins falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Billins is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Billins

The surname Billins is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing its roots to the medieval English counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bili," meaning "beak" or "bill," which may have been used as a nickname for someone with a prominent nose or beak-like facial feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Billins can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1197, where a certain William Billins is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already established itself in the region by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Bilins, Byllyns, and Billyngs, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain a reference to a Henry Billins, who held lands in the village of Newnton, Wiltshire.

During the 14th century, the Billins surname spread to other parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties like Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. One notable figure from this time was John Billins (c. 1320 - 1385), a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.

In the 15th century, the surname continued to be associated with the West Country region of England. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1428 list a Thomas Billins as a taxpayer in the village of Marshfield, Gloucestershire.

The 16th century saw the emergence of a notable Billins family in the county of Somerset. Sir William Billins (c. 1510 - 1585) was a successful lawyer and member of the gentry who served as a Justice of the Peace and High Sheriff of Somerset during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent figure was John Billins (1565 - 1628), a clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in the town of Taunton, Somerset. He was known for his scholarly works on theology and his efforts in promoting education in the region.

As the centuries progressed, the Billins surname continued to be found throughout England, with various branches of the family establishing themselves in different counties. While the name has remained relatively uncommon, it has left its mark on the historical records and contributed to the rich tapestry of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Billins families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Billins 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 20 Billins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.86x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 20 5.86x
Sussex 4 6.95x
Norfolk 3 5.72x
Surrey 3 1.80x
Gloucestershire 1 1.49x
Huntingdonshire 1 14.75x
Kent 1 0.86x
Lincolnshire 1 1.83x
Yorkshire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Isleworth in Middlesex leads with 10 Billins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 657.89x.

Place Total Index
Isleworth 10 657.89x
Fulham London 4 80.81x
Herstmonceaux 4 2352.94x
Heston 4 353.98x
East Lexham 2 10000.00x
Bridlington 1 129.87x
Bromley London 1 13.32x
Camberwell 1 4.59x
Clifton 1 29.59x
Croydon 1 10.83x
Hemingford Abbots 1 2000.00x
Putney 1 64.10x
St Gregory By St Pauls 1 1111.11x
Wells Next Sea 1 322.58x
Welton Le Wold 1 2500.00x
Woolwich 1 23.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emily 2
Ann 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Everilda 1
Hannah 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Sally 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 3
James 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Edwin 1
George 1
Henry 1
Jerry 1
John 1
Robert 1
William 1
Willm. 1

Top occupations

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 Billins households.

FAQ

Billins surname: questions and answers

How common was the Billins surname in 1881?

In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Billins surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Billins surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Billins a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Billins surname mean?

A surname derived from an Old English personal name combining the elements "bil" meaning sword or battle-axe and "wine" meaning friend or companion.

What does the Billins map show?

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