UK surname
An anglicized variant of the German surname Kürlis, possibly derived from a pet form of the given name "Karl".
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Curlis surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paddington, St Leonard Bromley and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Curlis is 494 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 190.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
494 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Curlis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Curlis surname density by area, 1891 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 | 113 | #15,815 |
| 1861 | historical | 494 | #5,287 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 418 | #8,561 |
| 1901 | historical | 28 | #30,951 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 37 | #34,248 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 27 | #35,746 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 28 | #36,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 29 | #35,991 |
| 2013 | modern | 28 | #36,096 |
| 2014 | modern | 29 | #36,058 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paddington, St Leonard Bromley, Lambeth, St Marylebone and Dorchester Holy Trinity, Fordington. 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 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Dorchester Holy Trinity, Fordington | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Curlis 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 Curlis, 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 Curlis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Curlis 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, Curlis 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 Curlis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Curlis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CURLIS has its origins in England, tracing back to the late medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English word "ceorl," which referred to a free peasant or member of the lowly class. Over time, this word evolved into various spellings, including "curl," "curle," and ultimately, "curlis."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the CURLIS surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a certain William Curlis is mentioned as residing in Oxfordshire. This historical record suggests that the name was already established in parts of southern England during the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the CURLIS surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, indicating its presence in the West Midlands region. Interestingly, some early variations of the name included "Curley" and "Curle," reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings during that era.
The CURLIS name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir John Curlis (1599-1671), a prominent English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire during the tumultuous years of the English Civil War and the Interregnum.
Another individual of note was Robert Curlis (1650-1718), a renowned English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London, including the St. James's Church in Piccadilly and the Radnor House in Twickenham.
In the realm of literature, the CURLIS surname gained recognition through the works of Thomas Curlis (1780-1857), an English poet and essayist whose writings explored themes of nature and romanticism.
The name also had a presence in the military, with Captain William Curlis (1812-1891) serving in the British Army during the Crimean War and later receiving commendations for his bravery and leadership.
Lastly, the CURLIS surname is associated with the pioneering work of Mary Curlis (1870-1945), a British educator and advocate for women's rights who played a pivotal role in establishing several educational institutions for girls in the early 20th century.
While the CURLIS name has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals who have contributed to diverse fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Curlis 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. Middlesex leads with 8 Curlis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.22x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 8 | 8.22x |
| Kent | 1 | 3.01x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 7.67x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 4 Curlis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 4 | 94.56x |
| Islington London | 2 | 21.21x |
| Bexley | 1 | 344.83x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 19.08x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 58.48x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 12.77x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Curlis 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 Curlis 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 Curlis households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Domestic Serv Cook | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Machinest (Seamstress) | 1 |
| Organizing ... ... To Ragged School Union | 1 |
| Serv Butler | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Curlis surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Curlis a modern rank of #36,059.
An anglicized variant of the German surname Kürlis, possibly derived from a pet form of the given name "Karl".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Curlis 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.