UK surname

Bisland

A surname likely derived from a place name or location.

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Bisland surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 156, ranked #23,098, up from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Bute and Rothesay, Govan Combination and Cardross. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ12, Calton and Gallowgate and Paisley Glenburn East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bisland is 156 in 2008. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 136.4%.

1881 census count

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

156

2016, ranked #23,098

Peak year

2008

156 bearers

Map years

1891 to 2016

Key insights

• Bisland had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
• The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016, ranked #23,098.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 105 in 1891.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Map

Bisland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bisland surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Bisland 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	58	#22,928
1861	historical	95	#21,768
1881	historical	66	#24,256
1891	historical	105	#23,241
1901	historical	98	#23,119
1911	historical	8	#32,903
1997	modern	144	#21,660
1998	modern	155	#21,227
1999	modern	148	#22,020
2000	modern	136	#23,155
2001	modern	135	#22,945
2002	modern	140	#22,876
2003	modern	138	#22,823
2004	modern	145	#22,289
2005	modern	139	#22,887
2006	modern	142	#22,724
2007	modern	148	#22,406
2008	modern	156	#21,862
2009	modern	151	#22,816
2010	modern	152	#23,282
2011	modern	147	#23,627
2012	modern	138	#24,614
2013	modern	151	#23,529
2014	modern	156	#23,231
2015	modern	154	#23,306
2016	modern	156	#23,098

Geography

Where Bislands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Bute and Rothesay, Govan Combination, Cardross, Bonhill and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ12, Calton and Gallowgate, Paisley Glenburn East, Paisley North and Paisley Gallowhill and Hillington. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank	Parish	Area
1	North Bute and Rothesay	Bute
2	Govan Combination	Lanark
3	Cardross	Dunbarton
4	Bonhill	Dunbarton
5	Glasgow	Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank	Area	District
1	IZ12	West Dunbartonshire
2	Calton and Gallowgate	Glasgow City
3	Paisley Glenburn East	Renfrewshire
4	Paisley North	Renfrewshire
5	Paisley Gallowhill and Hillington	Renfrewshire

Forenames

First names often paired with Bisland

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

Historical female names

Mary Agnes Elizabeth Janet Jane Margaret Catherine Jessie Maggie Annie

Historical male names

James John William Alexander Robert Walter Thomas David Peter Allan

Recent female names

Victoria Josephine Patricia Mary Andrea Margaret Jane Lisa Deborah Caroline

Recent male names

John Paul James David Michael Daniel Joseph Walter Robert William

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Bisland

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Bisland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Bisland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bisland is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bisland is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bisland falls in decile 2 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - British

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Bisland

The surname Bisland finds its origins in Scotland, likely during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "biscop" meaning bishop and "land" meaning land or territory. This etymology suggests that the surname originally referred to a person who lived on or owned land that was under the jurisdiction of a bishop.

The earliest records of the Bisland surname can be traced back to Renfrewshire, a historic county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Old manuscripts and charters from the 14th and 15th centuries make mentions of the name. A notable reference is found in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, where the surname appears in various legal documents.

In the early 16th century, John Bisland is recorded as a landowner in Renfrewshire. His contributions to local governance were significant, and documents from the period provide details about his estate and family. John Bisland lived from around 1490 until his death in 1550, marking one of the earliest well-documented instances of the surname.

The surname appears with slight variations over the centuries, including Beslande and Bislande. These variations often depended on the phonetic spellings used in different regions and at different times. In the 17th century, Thomas Bisland made his mark as a prominent merchant in Glasgow. Born in 1615 and passing in 1683, his commercial activities helped establish the family's reputation in urban centers.

Another notable figure was Charles Bisland, born in 1702 in Renfrewshire. He became a renowned agriculturalist, contributing to advancements in Scottish farming practices. His innovative techniques were even documented in agricultural journals of the time, and he continued his work until his death in 1768.

The 19th century saw William Bisland, born in 1820, emerge as a significant industrialist during Scotland's industrial revolution. He was instrumental in the development of several manufacturing enterprises in Glasgow, and his legacy continued until his passing in 1891. His ventures provided employment and contributed to the prosperity of the region.

In scientific circles, Alexander Bisland, born in 1845, gained recognition for his work in natural sciences. He published several papers on the botany of the Scottish Highlands, making substantial contributions to the field. Alexander Bisland’s writings continued to be referenced long after his death in 1902, exemplifying the enduring impact of his work.

Through its history, the surname Bisland has been associated with various regions and notable figures in Scotland. Such historical records and contributions from individuals named Bisland solidify its legacy in the areas of governance, commerce, agriculture, industry, and science. The surname remains a testament to the diverse contributions of its bearers over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Bisland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bisland 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. Dunbartonshire leads with 28 Bislands recorded in 1881 and an index of 161.94x.

County	Total	Frequency	Index
Dunbartonshire	28	0.04%	161.94x
Renfrewshire	19	0.01%	38.09x
Lanarkshire	7	0.00%	3.36x
Middlesex	4	0.00%	0.62x
Ayrshire	3	0.00%	6.23x
Angus	2	0.00%	3.35x
Argyllshire	2	0.00%	11.16x
Somerset	1	0.00%	0.97x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardross in Dunbartonshire leads with 13 Bislands recorded in 1881 and an index of 625.00x.

Place	Total	Frequency	Index
Cardross	13	0.14%	625.00x
Bonhill	12	0.10%	431.65x
Paisley Middle Church	8	0.06%	275.86x
Paisley High Church	6	0.03%	151.13x
Abbey	5	0.01%	65.70x
Clerkenwell London	4	0.01%	26.33x
Barony	3	0.00%	5.69x
Row	3	0.03%	133.93x
Dunoon	2	0.12%	540.54x
Glasgow	2	0.00%	5.41x
Govan	2	0.00%	3.89x
Largs	2	0.04%	176.99x
Liff Benvie	2	0.00%	22.10x
Ruishton	1	0.21%	1000.00x
St Quivox	1	0.01%	61.35x

Top female names

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

Name	Count
Helen	1
Magie	1
Mary	1
Ruth	1

Top male names

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

Name	Count
George	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 Bisland households.

Occupation	Count
Engine Fitter	1
Ladys Maid	1

FAQ

Bisland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bisland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Bisland surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bisland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016. That gives Bisland a modern rank of #23,098.

What does the Bisland surname mean?