UK surname
A patronymic surname derived from a medieval diminutive of the given name Giles, meaning "son of little Giles."
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Chilson surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Snettisham, Newcastle St Nicholas and Hull Holy Trinity. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chilson is 123 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
123 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Chilson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Chilson 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 | 29 | #28,082 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 21 | #32,526 |
| 1901 | historical | 14 | #32,506 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Snettisham, Newcastle St Nicholas, Hull Holy Trinity, St Pancras and Wednesbury. 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 | Snettisham | Norfolk |
| 2 | Newcastle St Nicholas | Northumberland |
| 3 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Wednesbury | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Chilson 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 Chilson, 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 Chilson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Chilson 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, Chilson 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 Chilson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Chilson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Chilson is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated in the county of Lincolnshire, derived from a combination of the Old English words "cild" meaning "child" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a place where children resided or a location associated with a particular family or group of children.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Childeston" and "Cildestune," referring to settlements in Lincolnshire. This historical record provides valuable insight into the name's evolution and its connection to specific regions of England.
Over the centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Chilson, Chillesun, Childson, and Chillson, reflecting the inconsistencies in written records and regional dialects of the time.
Notable individuals bearing the Chilson surname include:
1. William Chilson (c. 1590-1660), a prominent landowner and merchant in colonial Massachusetts, who was among the early settlers of New England.
2. John Chilson (1716-1795), an American Revolutionary War soldier who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill and later became a respected farmer in Connecticut.
3. Mary Chilson (1812-1890), a pioneer and educator who established one of the first schools in the Oregon Territory, contributing significantly to the education of early settlers.
4. Edward Chilson (1836-1912), a successful businessman and philanthropist from New York, known for his generous support of educational institutions and charitable organizations.
5. Samuel Chilson (1867-1944), a renowned architect and civil engineer, responsible for designing numerous iconic buildings and infrastructure projects across the United States.
Throughout its history, the Chilson surname has been linked to various locations and place names, reflecting the migrations and settlements of families bearing this name. For example, the town of Chilson, Michigan, was named after an early settler with the Chilson surname, while Chilson Hill in Vermont is derived from a similar source.
The surname Chilson has a rich and diverse history, spanning centuries and continents, with its roots firmly planted in the English countryside. Despite its various spellings and geographical dispersions, the name has maintained a strong presence throughout the ages, serving as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of families who have carried it forward.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chilson 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. Yorkshire leads with 8 Chilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.94x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 6 Chilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 122.95x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Trinity | 6 | 122.95x |
| Stoke Damerel | 3 | 100.67x |
| Melcombe Regis | 2 | 357.14x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 18.30x |
| Wales | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Broad Clist | 1 | 666.67x |
| Bromley | 1 | 94.34x |
| Devonport | 1 | 204.08x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 30.67x |
| Ipswich St Margaret | 1 | 117.65x |
| Stranton | 1 | 48.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Chilson 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 Chilson 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 Chilson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Ship Carpenter | 2 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carpenter R N | 1 |
| Coalmine Wife | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Engine Setters Wife | 1 |
| Fish Hawker | 1 |
| Fishmonger | 1 |
| Formerly Agricultural Labr | 1 |
| Lab At Coalmine | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Physicians Dau | 1 |
| Student | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Chilson surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Chilson a modern rank of #37,967.
A patronymic surname derived from a medieval diminutive of the given name Giles, meaning "son of little Giles."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Chilson 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.