NameCensus.

UK surname

Challis

An English surname derived from a cloth weaver's trade name.

In the 1881 census there were 1,893 people recorded with the Challis surname, ranking it #2,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,918, ranked #2,315, down from #2,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newbury, London parishes and Walthamstow, Low Leyton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Cambridgeshire, North Warwickshire and Lincoln.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Challis is 3,241 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54.1%.

1881 census count

1,893

Ranked #2,301

Modern count

2,918

2016, ranked #2,315

Peak year

1999

3,241 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Challis had 1,893 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,918 in 2016, ranked #2,315.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,134 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Challis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Challis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Challis 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 1,114 #2,530
1861 historical 1,048 #2,675
1881 historical 1,893 #2,301
1891 historical 2,083 #2,225
1901 historical 2,610 #2,110
1911 historical 3,134 #1,659
1997 modern 3,138 #2,045
1998 modern 3,228 #2,073
1999 modern 3,241 #2,087
2000 modern 3,216 #2,092
2001 modern 3,133 #2,102
2002 modern 3,147 #2,132
2003 modern 3,029 #2,167
2004 modern 3,012 #2,174
2005 modern 2,920 #2,214
2006 modern 2,910 #2,219
2007 modern 2,932 #2,235
2008 modern 2,955 #2,227
2009 modern 3,018 #2,233
2010 modern 3,102 #2,227
2011 modern 3,050 #2,228
2012 modern 3,031 #2,207
2013 modern 2,999 #2,270
2014 modern 2,996 #2,293
2015 modern 2,952 #2,293
2016 modern 2,918 #2,315

Geography

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Where Challis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newbury, London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and White Notley, Black Notley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Cambridgeshire, North Warwickshire, Lincoln and Harrogate. 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 Newbury Berkshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Walthamstow, Low Leyton Essex
4 London parishes London 3
5 White Notley, Black Notley Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Cambridgeshire 006 East Cambridgeshire
2 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
3 East Cambridgeshire 003 East Cambridgeshire
4 Lincoln 010 Lincoln
5 Harrogate 006 Harrogate

Forenames

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First names often paired with Challis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Challis

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Challis, 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 Challis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Challis 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Challis 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

Challis 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

Challis falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Challis 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Challis

The surname CHALLIS originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "chalice," which refers to a cup or goblet used for ceremonial purposes, particularly in religious rituals. This surname was likely adopted by someone who made or sold chalices or lived near a location associated with chalice-making.

The earliest recorded instance of the CHALLIS surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document mentions a William Chalice, who likely adopted the surname based on his occupation or proximity to a chalice-making establishment.

In the 14th century, the CHALLIS surname was found in various parts of England, including Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire. The spellings "Chalys" and "Chalice" were also commonly used during this time period.

The CHALLIS surname has connections to several place names in England. For example, the village of Challis in Hertfordshire may have derived its name from individuals bearing the CHALLIS surname who resided there.

One notable individual with the CHALLIS surname was John Challis (c. 1509-1570), an English Protestant reformer and rector of St. Peter's Church in Totnes, Devon. He was a vocal critic of Catholic doctrine and played a role in the English Reformation.

Another individual of historical significance was James Challis (1803-1882), an English clergyman and astronomer. He was the Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and is best known for his unsuccessful search for the hypothetical planet Vulcan, which was thought to exist inside the orbit of Mercury.

In the literary world, Thomas Challis (1662-1738) was an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Short Discourse on the Christian Religion" and "A Treatise on the Literature Worship of the Church of England."

The CHALLIS surname was also present in the American colonies. One notable bearer was James Challis (1637-1680), an early settler in Rhode Island who was involved in the colony's government and served as a deputy to the General Court.

Finally, John Challis (1804-1884) was a British engineer and inventor who contributed significantly to the development of early telecommunications. He is credited with designing and constructing the first commercial electric telegraph line in England, which connected London and Portsmouth.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Challis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Challis 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 425 Challis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.30x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 425 2.30x
Essex 416 11.40x
Kent 176 2.79x
Cambridgeshire 150 12.81x
Berkshire 135 9.73x
Suffolk 116 5.15x
Surrey 112 1.24x
Hampshire 51 1.35x
Devon 39 1.01x
Norfolk 36 1.27x
Wiltshire 23 1.41x
Lancashire 21 0.10x
Oxfordshire 20 1.75x
Yorkshire 20 0.11x
Leicestershire 19 0.93x
Cheshire 16 0.39x
Sussex 14 0.45x
Hertfordshire 13 1.02x
Gloucestershire 12 0.33x
Staffordshire 12 0.19x
Warwickshire 10 0.21x
Lincolnshire 9 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.36x
Somerset 9 0.30x
Buckinghamshire 7 0.63x
Herefordshire 5 0.66x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 1.49x
Bedfordshire 3 0.31x
Brecknockshire 2 0.54x
Dorset 2 0.16x
Glamorgan 2 0.06x
Midlothian 2 0.08x
Caithness 1 0.40x
Derbyshire 1 0.03x
Monmouthshire 1 0.07x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 49 Challis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.73x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 49 2.73x
Hatfield Broad Oak 44 357.43x
White Notley 39 1335.62x
Walthamstow 38 28.93x
Hackney London 31 2.99x
Deptford St Paul 28 5.76x
Kensington London 26 2.53x
Greenwich 25 8.50x
Bow London 24 10.20x
Haverhill 23 115.00x
Lympston 22 320.23x
Tottenham 22 7.47x
West Ham 22 2.73x
Barrington 21 531.65x
Lambeth 21 1.30x
Bromley London 20 4.92x
Wokingham 20 63.15x
Dartford 19 29.46x
Sawston 18 159.43x
Southminster 18 225.00x
Mile End Old Town London 17 4.32x
St Luke London 17 5.73x
Brandon 16 104.71x
Camberwell 16 1.36x
St Andrewthe Less 16 11.96x
Great Dunmow 15 78.91x
Newbury 15 33.75x
St Marylebone London 15 1.52x
Streatley 15 365.85x
Bermondsey 14 2.54x
East Woodhay 14 144.63x
Ramsgate 14 13.60x
South Ockendon 14 185.19x
St Pancras London 14 0.94x
Cressing 13 380.12x
Depden 13 902.78x
Hampstead London 13 4.52x
Black Notley 12 285.04x
Braintree 12 36.63x
Chelmsford 12 19.17x
Dullingham 12 228.14x
Enfield 12 9.89x
Hungerford 12 63.93x
Rochester St Margaret 12 18.04x
Roydon 12 223.88x
Staines 12 41.00x
Chigwell 11 31.94x
Clapham 11 4.76x
Heston 11 17.92x
Thaxted 11 90.83x
Wickhambrook 11 130.02x
Newington 10 1.46x
Paddington London 10 1.47x
Soham 10 39.68x
Basingstoke 9 20.65x
Chelsea London 9 1.62x
Cookham 9 20.80x
Kingston On Thames 9 4.16x
Portsea 9 1.21x
West Bromwich 9 2.52x
Willesden 9 5.17x
Atherstone 8 33.60x
Battersea 8 1.18x
Bethnal Green London 8 1.00x
Cheltenham 8 2.86x
Felstead 8 64.00x
Folkestone 8 6.54x
Frindsbury 8 33.66x
Hendon 8 12.03x
Linton 8 71.88x
Littleham 8 28.44x
Rotherhithe 8 3.50x
St Benedict Cambridge 8 121.03x
St Giles Cripplegate 8 32.60x
Stapleford 8 225.99x
Tintwistle 8 36.68x
Wanstead 8 12.52x
Whitechapel London 8 4.39x
Devizes St Mary 7 42.37x
Hoo 7 83.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 103
Elizabeth 80
Sarah 68
Eliza 41
Emma 36
Emily 35
Ann 31
Ellen 31
Jane 31
Annie 28
Alice 27
Hannah 18
Maria 18
Harriet 17
Edith 16
Florence 16
Martha 13
Ada 12
Charlotte 12
Louisa 12
Clara 11
Kate 11
Susan 11
Gertrude 10
Julia 10
Rose 10
Amelia 9
Caroline 8
Margaret 8
Maud 8
Minnie 7
Sophia 7
Agnes 6
Anne 6
Fanny 6
Jessie 6
Laura 6
Lucy 6
Ethel 5
Lydia 5
Matilda 5
Amy 4
Anna 4
Esther 4
Phoebe 4
Priscilla 4
Rebecca 4
Rosa 4
Susannah 4
Winifred 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 119
George 75
John 72
James 66
Thomas 45
Charles 43
Alfred 37
Henry 37
Joseph 32
Frederick 28
Arthur 26
Edward 25
Robert 16
Walter 16
David 15
Harry 14
Samuel 14
Albert 13
Frank 9
Abraham 6
Fredrick 6
Daniel 5
Geo. 5
Isaac 5
Stephen 5
Thos. 5
Ernest 4
Herbert 4
Peter 4
Phillip 4
Richard 4
Sidney 4
Augustus 3
Earnest 3
Edwin 3
Fred 3
Henery 3
Job 3
Willie 3
Wm. 3
Ambrose 2
Chas. 2
Christopher 2
Edmund 2
Joshua 2
Mark 2
Percy 2
Philip 2
Ray 2
Silass 2

FAQ

Challis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Challis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,893 people were recorded with the Challis surname. That placed it at #2,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Challis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,918 in 2016. That gives Challis a modern rank of #2,315.

What does the Challis surname mean?

An English surname derived from a cloth weaver's trade name.

What does the Challis map show?

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