NameCensus.

UK surname

Clish

A variant spelling of the English surname "Cleish", derived from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Clish surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 165, ranked #22,234, down from #22,225 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Auckland St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clish is 173 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 106.3%.

1881 census count

80

Ranked #22,225

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

2009

173 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Clish had 80 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,225 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Clish surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Clish surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Clish 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 54 #23,577
1861 historical 71 #24,765
1881 historical 80 #22,225
1891 historical 89 #25,542
1901 historical 99 #22,999
1911 historical 117 #20,757
1997 modern 170 #19,505
1998 modern 168 #20,181
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 164 #20,584
2001 modern 156 #20,974
2002 modern 161 #20,925
2003 modern 150 #21,669
2004 modern 144 #22,379
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 154 #21,576
2007 modern 161 #21,201
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 172 #21,248
2012 modern 169 #21,437
2013 modern 170 #21,726
2014 modern 169 #22,006
2015 modern 162 #22,509
2016 modern 165 #22,234

Geography

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Where Clishs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Auckland St Andrew, Brancepeth and Easington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland and County Durham. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Auckland St Andrew Durham
4 Brancepeth Durham
5 Easington Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 036 Sunderland
2 County Durham 043 County Durham
3 County Durham 051 County Durham
4 Sunderland 035 Sunderland
5 County Durham 028 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Clish

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Clish

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Clish surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Clish 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 house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Clish is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Clish 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clish falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Clish is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Clish

The surname CLISH has its origins in the British Isles, specifically England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "clyss" or "cliss," meaning a cliff or steep slope. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name or a topographical feature associated with an early bearer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CLISH can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Clisse," likely referring to someone residing near a cliff or steep slope.

In the 13th century, a document from the county of Oxfordshire mentioned a landowner named Richard de Clisse, indicating that the name had evolved into a hereditary surname by that time. This early example also suggests a connection to a specific location or estate.

During the 16th century, variations of the spelling emerged, such as "Clish" and "Clyshe," as seen in parish records from various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. These regional variations reflect the diverse dialects and pronunciations of the name across different areas.

One notable figure bearing the CLISH surname was John Clish, a merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, who lived between 1542 and 1612. He was known for his involvement in the local wool trade and his philanthropic efforts in supporting educational initiatives in his community.

Another individual of historical significance was Elizabeth Clish, born in 1675 in Essex. She was a renowned herbalist and midwife, whose expertise in traditional medicine and healing practices was widely respected in her region.

In the late 18th century, a prominent CLISH family emerged in the county of Somerset, where they were landowners and involved in local politics. William Clish, born in 1762, served as a magistrate and played a role in the administration of his community.

The CLISH name has also been associated with several place names throughout England, such as Clish Hill in Derbyshire and Clish Farm in Wiltshire, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and geographical features.

While these examples provide insights into the history and significance of the CLISH surname, it is important to note that the name has likely evolved and spread across various regions, with different branches developing their own distinct narratives and connections to local histories.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Clish families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clish 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 77 Clishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.17x.

County Total Index
Durham 77 33.17x
Devon 1 0.62x
Northumberland 1 0.86x
Yorkshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hetton Le Hole in Durham leads with 18 Clishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 612.24x.

Place Total Index
Hetton Le Hole 18 612.24x
Haswell 17 1024.10x
Esh 10 591.72x
Coundon Grange 9 1764.71x
Brandon Byshottles 5 171.82x
Heworth 4 87.53x
Kyo 4 366.97x
Witton Gilbert 4 434.78x
Gateshead 2 11.51x
Hett 2 2222.22x
Kenton 1 196.08x
Lamesley 1 80.00x
Lanchester 1 232.56x
Longbenton 1 20.33x
Rawmarsh 1 36.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Isabella 5
Elizabeth 4
Jane 4
Margaret 4
Sarah 3
Dorothy 2
Elizth. 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Barbara 1
Catherine 1
Frances 1
Isab. 1
Matilda 1
Mgt. 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
George 3
Jeremiah 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Matthew 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
William 2
Edward 1
Geo. 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Rbt. 1
Rich. 1
Robt. 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 Clish households.

FAQ

Clish surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clish surname in 1881?

In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Clish surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clish surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Clish a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Clish surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname "Cleish", derived from a place name.

What does the Clish map show?

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