UK surname
Of Hebrew origin, a surname derived from the biblical prophet's name Elisha.
In the 1881 census there were 87 people recorded with the Elisha surname, ranking it #21,334 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #21,334 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Windsor, Old, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elisha is 116 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 35.6%.
1881 census count
87
Ranked #21,334
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1911
116 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Elisha surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Elisha surname density by area, 1911 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 | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 37 | #29,339 |
| 1881 | historical | 87 | #21,334 |
| 1891 | historical | 87 | #25,802 |
| 1901 | historical | 110 | #21,604 |
| 1911 | historical | 116 | #20,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 41 | #33,747 |
| 1999 | modern | 37 | #34,248 |
| 2000 | modern | 33 | #34,607 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 42 | #34,714 |
| 2007 | modern | 40 | #35,037 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 51 | #34,612 |
| 2010 | modern | 54 | #34,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 50 | #34,816 |
| 2012 | modern | 53 | #34,657 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 54 | #34,700 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Windsor, Old, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, St James Clerkenwell and Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early),. 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 | Windsor, Old | Berkshire |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| 5 | Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Elisha 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 Elisha, 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 Elisha surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Elisha 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, Elisha 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 Elisha is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Elisha, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "ELISHA" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Hebrew given name Elisha, which means "God is salvation" or "God is deliverance." The name can be traced back to the biblical prophet Elisha, who was a disciple of the prophet Elijah and lived during the 9th century BCE.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Elisha can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various forms, such as Elissant, Elisant, and Elysaunt, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Elisha was particularly prevalent in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in East Anglia. It is believed that the name may have been introduced to the region by Norman settlers who arrived after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Prominent individuals with the surname Elisha include Sir John Elisha (1615-1689), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth in the 17th century. Another notable figure was Thomas Elisha (1680-1734), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.
In the 18th century, the surname Elisha gained prominence in the United States, where it was carried by early settlers from England. One such individual was Captain Elisha Brewster (1693-1775), an American military officer who fought in King Philip's War and the French and Indian War.
The 19th century saw the rise of William Elisha (1813-1889), a British engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of the steam engine and other mechanical devices. He was awarded several patents for his innovations.
Another notable figure was Mary Elisha (1845-1923), an American author and educator who wrote extensively on women's rights and education. She was a prominent activist and advocate for equal rights during her lifetime.
Throughout its history, the surname Elisha has been spelled in various ways, including Elisha, Elysha, Ellisha, and Ellysha, reflecting regional variations and changes in spelling conventions over time. While the name has its roots in the Hebrew language, it has become an integral part of the English and American cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elisha 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 48 Elishas recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.66x.
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 17 Elishas recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 17 | 46.11x |
| Islington London | 11 | 13.37x |
| Clerkenwell London | 8 | 39.94x |
| Lambeth | 8 | 10.81x |
| Reading St Giles | 7 | 112.00x |
| Shoreditch London | 6 | 16.31x |
| Walthamstow | 6 | 99.50x |
| Deptford St Paul | 5 | 22.39x |
| Old Windsor | 5 | 675.68x |
| Sonning | 3 | 428.57x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 4.39x |
| Willesden | 2 | 25.00x |
| Battersea | 1 | 3.20x |
| Bow London | 1 | 9.26x |
| Devizes St James | 1 | 100.00x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 29.33x |
| Newington | 1 | 3.19x |
| Watford | 1 | 22.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Elisha 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 Elisha 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 Elisha households.
FAQ
In 1881, 87 people were recorded with the Elisha surname. That placed it at #21,334 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Elisha a modern rank of #34,562.
Of Hebrew origin, a surname derived from the biblical prophet's name Elisha.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Elisha 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.