UK surname
A spelling variation of the English surname "Ellis" derived from the medieval diminutive form of the given name Elias.
In the 1881 census there were 45 people recorded with the Elis surname, ranking it #27,314 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 77, ranked #33,236, down from #27,314 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John and Berriew, Tregynon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elis is 182 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 71.1%.
1881 census count
45
Ranked #27,314
Modern count
77
2016, ranked #33,236
Peak year
1861
182 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Elis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Elis 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 | 158 | #12,461 |
| 1861 | historical | 182 | #12,949 |
| 1881 | historical | 45 | #27,314 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1997 | modern | 54 | #32,210 |
| 1998 | modern | 46 | #33,286 |
| 1999 | modern | 50 | #33,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 47 | #33,358 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 46 | #33,883 |
| 2005 | modern | 45 | #34,160 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 47 | #34,856 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 66 | #33,901 |
| 2013 | modern | 69 | #33,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 76 | #33,351 |
| 2016 | modern | 77 | #33,236 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John, Berriew, Tregynon, St Giles Camberwell and Llanrhystyd. 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 | Devonport Stonehouse, East | Devon |
| 2 | Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John | Cambridgeshire |
| 3 | Berriew, Tregynon | Montgomeryshire |
| 4 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Llanrhystyd | Cardiganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Elis 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 Elis, 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 Elis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Elis 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, Elis 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 Elis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Elis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ELIS is of Welsh origin, and it is believed to have emerged in the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Welsh personal name "Elisse," which is a variant of the biblical name "Elijah."
In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Elys" or "Elis" in various Welsh records and manuscripts from the Middle Ages. It is thought to have originated in the regions of Anglesey and Caernarfonshire in North Wales, where the name was particularly common.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ELIS can be found in the Anglesey Roll of 1309, which lists several individuals with this name. Additionally, the name appears in the Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll of 1292-1293, suggesting that the surname was already in use by the late 13th century.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname ELIS was Sir John Elis (c. 1510-1578), a Welsh landowner and Member of Parliament for Caernarfonshire. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Shire Hall in Caernarfon, which still stands today.
Another prominent individual with the surname ELIS was Thomas Elis (1564-1626), a Welsh clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of St. Asaph from 1613 until his death. He was known for his contributions to the translation of the Bible into Welsh.
In the 18th century, John Elis (1701-1795) was a notable Welsh Baptist minister and writer who authored several religious works, including a Welsh translation of John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress."
During the 19th century, William Elis (1808-1888) was a Welsh composer and musician who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of traditional Welsh music. He is particularly renowned for his collection of Welsh folk songs, which he published in the volume "Gwaith Alawon Cymru" (The Works of the Music of Wales).
Another notable figure with the surname ELIS was Sir John Elis Pedersen (1841-1923), a Welsh businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the shipping industry. He was knighted for his philanthropic efforts and his contributions to the development of the city of Cardiff.
These examples illustrate the longstanding history and significance of the surname ELIS, which has its roots in Wales and has been associated with notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elis 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. Somerset leads with 8 Elis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.33x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 8 | 11.33x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.60x |
| Caernarfonshire | 6 | 33.82x |
| Westmorland | 4 | 41.49x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.00x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 7.91x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.71x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.62x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.35x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 4.40x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 2.01x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.77x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.31x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 3.15x |
| Montgomeryshire | 1 | 9.95x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Englishcombe in Somerset leads with 7 Elis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8750.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Englishcombe | 7 | 8750.00x |
| Beetham | 4 | 2666.67x |
| Islington London | 4 | 9.41x |
| Llangian | 4 | 2500.00x |
| Edgbaston | 3 | 87.46x |
| St Peters | 3 | 434.78x |
| Wrockwardine | 3 | 361.45x |
| Handsworth | 2 | 54.79x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 25.87x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 2 | 29.85x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 15.06x |
| Bishops Cannings | 1 | 714.29x |
| Guilsfield | 1 | 270.27x |
| Harrow On The Hill | 1 | 113.64x |
| Hertingfordbury | 1 | 833.33x |
| Llanbeblig | 1 | 55.56x |
| Llantillio Pertholey | 1 | 526.32x |
| Llanystymdwy | 1 | 588.24x |
| St Austell | 1 | 58.82x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 15.90x |
| Toddington | 1 | 303.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Elis 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 Elis 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 Elis households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Butler | 1 |
| Clay Labourer | 1 |
| Coachman (D Servt) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coal Miner Wife | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Farmer Of 8 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Daur | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Gardener (M) | 1 |
| Gardener Wife | 1 |
| General Domestic Servant | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Governess (Teacher) | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Joiner Out Of Work | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Porter Coal | 1 |
| Schooler | 1 |
| Stay Maker | 1 |
| Traveller & Fancy Factor | 1 |
| Wife Of A Sailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 45 people were recorded with the Elis surname. That placed it at #27,314 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016. That gives Elis a modern rank of #33,236.
A spelling variation of the English surname "Ellis" derived from the medieval diminutive form of the given name Elias.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Elis 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.