UK surname
A surname derived from the English first name Ellis, meaning son of Elis or Elias.
In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Elleson surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #28,715 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Toxteth Park and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elleson is 233 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.6%.
1881 census count
35
Ranked #28,715
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1891
233 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Elleson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Elleson 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 | 135 | #13,964 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 35 | #28,715 |
| 1891 | historical | 233 | #13,392 |
| 1901 | historical | 37 | #30,009 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 16 | #36,361 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Toxteth Park, Wigan, Liverpool and West Derby. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Elleson 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 Elleson, 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 Elleson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Elleson 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, Elleson 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 Elleson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Elleson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Elleson likely originated in England, with its earliest usage traced back to the medieval period. The name is patronymic, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. In this case, Elleson means "son of Ellis," with Ellis itself being a common medieval personal name derived from the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning "Jehovah is God." Variations in spelling are common in historical records, and Elleson has been found spelled as Ellisone, Elisson, Ellison, and Ellyson in various documents.
Historical references to the surname can be found in old English manuscripts and records. One of the earliest mentions appears in the Hundred Rolls from the late 13th century, specifically the 1273 census, where a Richard Ellesone was documented in Lincolnshire. Additionally, the Poll Tax records from 1379 list an Agnes Ellesone in Yorkshire, which contributes to the evidence of the name’s early existence and regional presence.
Early recorded instances of the surname also include John Ellison, who is mentioned in records from the year 1440 in Northumberland. Another notable reference is Thomas Ellison, who appears in documents dating back to the early 15th century in Durham. Both regions were significant areas of settlement for families bearing this surname.
Throughout the centuries, individuals with the surname Elleson have made various impacts. William Ellison (1561-1621) was a prominent figure in Warwickshire, involved in local governance. Moving into the 17th century, a Robert Ellison (1686-1753) became known for his contributions as a merchant in the burgeoning trade routes emanating from the port of London.
In more recent history, Sir Henry Ellison (1789-1867) was a prominent figure in the British legal system, serving as a judge in the high court, while Catherine Ellison (1825-1870) gained recognition as a philanthropist in the Victorian era, known for her charitable work in education and health.
The surname Elleson encapsulates a rich history of English heritage, evolving through various spellings and moving across regions such as Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, and beyond. The historical timeline of individuals bearing this surname highlights their varied contributions to English society, from governance and commerce to law and philanthropy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elleson 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. Lancashire leads with 13 Ellesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 13 | 3.12x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 3.87x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.85x |
| Suffolk | 3 | 7.01x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.86x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.67x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 3.70x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.96x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.39x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 9.53x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.78x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.91x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 23.92x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ince In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 9 Ellesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 463.92x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ince In Makerfield | 9 | 463.92x |
| Ipswich St Margaret | 3 | 206.90x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 27.08x |
| Bearsted | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Great Ryburgh | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 16.18x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 5.08x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 52.91x |
| Holy Trinity Less London | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 24.33x |
| Newbottle | 1 | 175.44x |
| Newcastle On Tyne | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Over | 1 | 126.58x |
| Parr | 1 | 67.11x |
| Preston On Hill | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Sleat | 1 | 400.00x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 7.09x |
| Tydd St Mary | 1 | 909.09x |
| Warrington | 1 | 20.24x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 59.17x |
| Wigan | 1 | 17.18x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Elleson 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 Elleson 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 Elleson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Artist Painter | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coal Miner & Beer Seller | 1 |
| D Serv | 1 |
| Dom Serv Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farmers Labourer | 1 |
| Fork & Spoon Stamper | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Housemaid (Head) | 1 |
| Journeyman Miller | 1 |
| Musician Army Pensioner | 1 |
| O S (Bargeman) | 1 |
| School Teacher | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Servant Cook | 1 |
| Shunter (R Way) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Elleson surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Elleson a modern rank of #37,501.
A surname derived from the English first name Ellis, meaning son of Elis or Elias.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Elleson 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.