NameCensus.

UK surname

Collis

Derived from a place name meaning "hill" in Old English, or from the Greek word for "citadel."

In the 1881 census there were 3,089 people recorded with the Collis surname, ranking it #1,455 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,714, ranked #1,834, down from #1,455 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Warwick and Test Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Collis is 4,062 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.2%.

1881 census count

3,089

Ranked #1,455

Modern count

3,714

2016, ranked #1,834

Peak year

1998

4,062 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Collis had 3,089 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,455 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,714 in 2016, ranked #1,834.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,858 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Collis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Collis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Collis 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 1,964 #1,474
1861 historical 2,013 #1,442
1881 historical 3,089 #1,455
1891 historical 3,110 #1,514
1901 historical 3,609 #1,553
1911 historical 3,858 #1,345
1997 modern 3,786 #1,716
1998 modern 4,062 #1,661
1999 modern 4,062 #1,673
2000 modern 4,044 #1,672
2001 modern 3,954 #1,676
2002 modern 3,985 #1,695
2003 modern 3,905 #1,691
2004 modern 3,874 #1,712
2005 modern 3,764 #1,741
2006 modern 3,726 #1,763
2007 modern 3,745 #1,764
2008 modern 3,711 #1,789
2009 modern 3,814 #1,782
2010 modern 3,856 #1,803
2011 modern 3,869 #1,772
2012 modern 3,787 #1,774
2013 modern 3,817 #1,798
2014 modern 3,805 #1,808
2015 modern 3,745 #1,818
2016 modern 3,714 #1,834

Geography

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Where Collis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Lambeth and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Warwick and Test Valley. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 002 North Dorset
2 North Dorset 004 North Dorset
3 North Dorset 001 North Dorset
4 Warwick 015 Warwick
5 Test Valley 009 Test Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Collis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Collis

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Collis is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Collis 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

Collis falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Collis 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 Collis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Collis

The surname Collis originates from England and is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "col," meaning a charcoal burner or a person who worked with charcoal. This occupation was prevalent in areas with extensive woodlands, where charcoal production was a significant industry.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Coll" and "Colle." This ancient record suggests that the name was already established in various parts of England during the Norman Conquest.

Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Collis, Colles, and Collys. These variations were influenced by regional dialects and the scribes' interpretations of the name's pronunciation. The spelling "Collis" became more widely adopted and is considered the modern standardized form.

One notable bearer of the Collis surname was Sir John Collis (1623-1690), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Wigan during the reign of King Charles II. Another prominent figure was Daniel Collis (1761-1835), a British soldier who served in the Napoleonic Wars and received the Army Gold Cross for his bravery.

In the United States, the name Collis can be traced back to the early colonial period. One of the earliest recorded instances was John Collis, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. Another early bearer was William Collis, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682.

A notable American with this surname was Charles Henry Collis (1838-1901), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Philadelphia. He made significant contributions to educational institutions and was widely respected for his civic engagement.

Additionally, the Collis surname is associated with several place names in England, such as Collis Farm in Gloucestershire and Collis Lane in Warwickshire. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the Collis surname who resided in or owned land in those areas.

Throughout history, the Collis surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, soldiers, businessmen, and public figures. While its origins can be traced back to a specific occupation, the name has transcended its occupational roots and become a well-established surname in both England and other parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Collis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Collis 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 556 Collis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.84x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 556 1.84x
Hampshire 444 7.17x
Surrey 325 2.21x
Staffordshire 205 2.01x
Essex 167 2.80x
Yorkshire 123 0.41x
Derbyshire 117 2.47x
Kent 107 1.04x
Lancashire 100 0.28x
Dorset 98 4.94x
Oxfordshire 95 5.09x
Leicestershire 80 2.39x
Warwickshire 75 0.98x
Sussex 67 1.32x
Cambridgeshire 63 3.29x
Berkshire 62 2.73x
Somerset 53 1.09x
Northamptonshire 50 1.76x
Cheshire 46 0.69x
Suffolk 44 1.20x
Glamorgan 34 0.65x
Gloucestershire 34 0.57x
Worcestershire 17 0.43x
Hertfordshire 15 0.72x
Nottinghamshire 15 0.37x
Devon 13 0.21x
Lincolnshire 9 0.19x
Norfolk 9 0.19x
Shropshire 9 0.34x
Northumberland 8 0.18x
Westmorland 7 1.05x
Lanarkshire 6 0.06x
Cumberland 5 0.19x
Bedfordshire 4 0.26x
Royal Navy 4 1.11x
Stirlingshire 4 0.36x
Wiltshire 4 0.15x
Cornwall 3 0.09x
Herefordshire 3 0.24x
Midlothian 3 0.07x
Monmouthshire 3 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.11x
Isle of Man 2 0.36x
Renfrewshire 2 0.09x
Ayrshire 1 0.04x
Channel Islands 1 0.11x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.10x
Rutland 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 73 Collis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.49x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 73 2.49x
Lambeth 47 1.78x
Camberwell 44 2.28x
Stoke Upon Trent 38 3.52x
Aston 35 1.67x
Portsea 35 2.88x
Croydon 34 4.16x
Putney 34 24.70x
Shoreditch London 32 2.44x
Chelsea London 31 3.41x
Hackney London 29 1.71x
Kensington London 28 1.67x
St Marylebone London 28 1.74x
Cheadle 27 55.15x
Clerkenwell London 26 3.65x
Lewisham 26 4.73x
Newington 24 2.15x
Coggs 23 320.78x
Derby St Werburgh 23 8.42x
South Ockendon 23 186.39x
Aldeburgh 22 101.06x
St Pancras London 21 0.86x
Gillingham 20 58.72x
Brighton 19 1.85x
Brampton 18 27.24x
Chiswick 18 10.91x
Southminster 18 137.61x
Deptford St Paul 17 2.14x
Ecclesall Bierlow 17 2.79x
Southampton St Mary 17 4.37x
St George In East London 17 5.98x
Cheadle 16 12.57x
Hampstead London 16 3.40x
Leicester St Margaret 16 1.96x
Preston 16 1.67x
Sheffield 16 1.68x
Trentham 16 18.45x
West Ham 16 1.22x
Westminster St John 16 4.35x
Whitchurch 16 81.47x
Burntwood Edial 15 23.03x
Ealing 15 5.56x
Huddersfield 15 3.44x
St Bartholomew Hyde 15 101.35x
Bromley London 14 2.11x
Derby St Peter 14 9.30x
Horsington 14 180.65x
Millbrook 14 8.98x
Orwell 14 168.88x
Paddington London 14 1.26x
Reading St Giles 14 6.29x
Reading St Mary 14 7.71x
Bishops Waltham 13 50.43x
Hermitage 13 1111.11x
Kettering 13 11.31x
Knighton 13 68.82x
Micheldever 13 120.82x
Mile End Old Town London 13 2.02x
Wotton 13 181.82x
Chelmsford 12 11.73x
Hove 12 5.37x
Leicester St Mary 12 4.44x
Writtle 12 49.24x
Aston Cote 11 149.66x
Battersea 11 0.99x
Clapham 11 2.91x
Ellastone 11 380.62x
Newbold Dunston 11 24.48x
Newchurch 11 3.75x
South Stoneham 11 8.19x
Southampton All Sts 11 10.36x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 1.81x
Swansea Town 11 2.55x
Warnford 11 275.00x
Wherwell 11 196.78x
Bishops Sutton 10 225.23x
Chesterfield 10 5.64x
Poplar London 10 1.75x
Redcar 10 42.11x
St Martin In Fields 10 5.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 190
Elizabeth 120
Sarah 95
Eliza 62
Jane 57
Ellen 56
Emma 56
Ann 50
Emily 43
Alice 40
Annie 39
Hannah 34
Louisa 31
Harriet 26
Ada 24
Edith 23
Martha 23
Charlotte 22
Clara 22
Kate 22
Caroline 21
Florence 21
Fanny 19
Amelia 17
Maria 17
Margaret 15
Anne 14
Harriett 14
Susan 12
Ethel 11
Catherine 10
Jessie 10
Sophia 10
Julia 9
Susannah 9
Amy 8
Frances 8
Lydia 8
Agnes 7
Eleanor 7
Esther 7
Gertrude 7
Lucy 7
Matilda 7
Rebecca 7
E. 6
Elizth. 6
Bertha 5
Georgina 5
Rose 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 192
George 131
John 124
James 100
Charles 95
Thomas 64
Henry 61
Alfred 45
Joseph 40
Samuel 38
Arthur 36
Frederick 33
Edward 30
Albert 25
Harry 25
Frank 23
Robert 22
Walter 20
Ernest 17
Herbert 15
Richard 15
David 14
Edwin 12
Fredk. 8
Chas. 7
Fred 7
Sidney 7
Wm. 7
Benjamin 6
Christopher 6
Edmund 5
Fredrick 5
A. 4
Peter 4
Stephen 4
Tom 4
Ambrose 3
Cornelius 3
Edgar 3
Isaac 3
Jesse 3
Josh. 3
Martin 3
Michael 3
Noah 3
Reginald 3
Thos. 3
Willm. 3
Mark 2
Mathew 2

FAQ

Collis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Collis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,089 people were recorded with the Collis surname. That placed it at #1,455 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Collis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,714 in 2016. That gives Collis a modern rank of #1,834.

What does the Collis surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "hill" in Old English, or from the Greek word for "citadel."

What does the Collis map show?

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