NameCensus.

UK surname

Billy

A surname derived from the French term "billie," meaning a companion or protector.

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Billy surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 220, ranked #18,376, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Willersey and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wirral, Kirklees and St Albans.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Billy is 220 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 714.8%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

220

2016, ranked #18,376

Peak year

2016

220 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Billy had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016, ranked #18,376.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 178 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Billy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Billy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Billy 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 41 #25,926
1861 historical 178 #13,202
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 74 #27,538
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 57 #27,099
1997 modern 61 #31,526
1998 modern 65 #31,477
1999 modern 62 #31,893
2000 modern 63 #31,829
2001 modern 59 #32,080
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 65 #31,979
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 72 #31,730
2006 modern 75 #31,733
2007 modern 68 #32,760
2008 modern 72 #32,656
2009 modern 70 #33,182
2010 modern 94 #31,111
2011 modern 107 #28,979
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 157 #22,904
2014 modern 183 #20,880
2015 modern 198 #19,714
2016 modern 220 #18,376

Geography

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Where Billys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Willersey, Toxteth Park, Lambeth and Winfrith Newburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wirral, Kirklees, St Albans and Croydon. 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 Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean Monmouthshire
2 Willersey Worcestershire
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Winfrith Newburgh Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wirral 020 Wirral
2 Kirklees 040 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 044 Kirklees
4 St Albans 012 St Albans
5 Croydon 045 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Billy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Billy

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Billy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Billy 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Billy 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

Billy is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Billy falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Billy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
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 Billy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Billy

The surname Billy has its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English bylig, meaning "dwelling" or "homestead." It likely originated as a place name, referring to someone who lived near a particular homestead or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Billie." This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

During the medieval period, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Bille, Billie, and Billey. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in those times, as they were often based on local dialects and the interpretations of scribes.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Bille residing in Oxfordshire, indicating the name's presence in this region. Similarly, a Robert Bille is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, further cementing the name's roots in eastern England.

As the surname spread across the country, it became associated with specific places. For example, the village of Billey in Gloucestershire likely derived its name from the Billy surname. This connection between surnames and place names was common in medieval times.

Notable individuals bearing the Billy surname include:

1. William Billy (c. 1500-1568), an English Protestant reformer and Bishop of Winchester during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Richard Billy (c. 1570-1642), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury during the early Stuart period. 3. Thomas Billy (1654-1723), a renowned English clockmaker whose works are still highly prized by collectors. 4. Robert Billy (1712-1789), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. 5. Jane Billy (1815-1892), a prominent English philanthropist and social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of the poor in London's East End.

Throughout its history, the surname Billy has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the eastern and southern counties. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to be carried forward by families across generations, reflecting the enduring legacy of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Billy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Billy 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. Durham leads with 9 Billys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.49x.

County Total Index
Durham 9 11.49x
Middlesex 7 2.66x
Gloucestershire 4 7.75x
Lancashire 3 0.96x
Denbighshire 1 10.06x
Renfrewshire 1 4.90x
Surrey 1 0.78x
Warwickshire 1 1.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 7 Billys recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.17x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 7 104.17x
Whitechapel London 6 231.66x
West Dean 4 476.19x
Sunderland 2 144.93x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 42.55x
Hornsey 1 30.03x
Leamington Priors 1 61.35x
Minera 1 769.23x
Poulton Barre 1 277.78x
Streatham 1 51.28x
Toxteth Park 1 9.45x
West Greenock 1 27.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 2
Emma 2
Sarah 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Eliza 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Jane 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Henry 2
Edward 1
James 1
Peter 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 1
William 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 Billy households.

FAQ

Billy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Billy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Billy surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Billy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016. That gives Billy a modern rank of #18,376.

What does the Billy surname mean?

A surname derived from the French term "billie," meaning a companion or protector.

What does the Billy map show?

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