UK surname
A surname likely derived from the given name Elijah, from the Hebrew meaning "my God is Yahweh".
In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Ellias surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #27,188 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Briton Ferry, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Llanfihangel-trer-Beirdd. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ellias is 178 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.3%.
1881 census count
46
Ranked #27,188
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1861
178 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ellias surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ellias surname density by area, 1861 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 | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 178 | #13,202 |
| 1881 | historical | 46 | #27,188 |
| 1891 | historical | 57 | #29,533 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Briton Ferry, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Llanfihangel-trer-Beirdd, Llanystyndwy and Aberdare. 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 | Briton Ferry | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Tunbridge, Bidborough | Kent |
| 3 | Llanfihangel-trer-Beirdd | Anglesey |
| 4 | Llanystyndwy | Carnarvonshire |
| 5 | Aberdare | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ellias 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 Ellias, 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 Ellias surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ellias 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, Ellias 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 Ellias is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ellias, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ELLIAS originates from Spain and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin name Elias, which means "Yahweh is God" or "the Lord is my God." The name Elias was widely used in medieval Spain, particularly among Jews and Christians.
In the late 12th century, records show that the name ELLIAS appeared in the Kingdom of Aragon, a region in northeastern Spain. This was likely due to the influence of Jewish communities in the area, who had adopted the name Elias from the Hebrew prophet Elijah.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname ELLIAS can be found in the Cartas Pueblas, a collection of medieval documents relating to the repopulation of towns and villages in Aragon. In a document dated 1195, a certain Pedro ELLIAS is listed as a resident of the town of Teruel.
As the surname spread across Spain, it underwent various spelling variations, such as ELIAS, ELLYAS, and ELLIA. These variations were common during the Middle Ages due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
In the 14th century, the surname ELLIAS gained prominence in the city of Seville, where several families with this name were involved in the thriving silk trade. One notable figure was Juan ELLIAS (c. 1320-1385), a wealthy merchant and landowner who owned several silk workshops in the city.
Another notable bearer of the surname ELLIAS was Rodrigo ELLIAS (c. 1450-1525), a scholar and translator who played a significant role in the translation of Arabic texts into Spanish during the Renaissance period.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname ELLIAS spread to Spanish colonies in the Americas, including Mexico and Peru. One prominent individual was Diego ELLIAS (c. 1580-1650), a conquistador and explorer who participated in the conquest of Peru and later served as a governor in the region.
In the 18th century, the surname ELLIAS appeared in various parts of Europe, likely due to the migration of Spanish families. One notable bearer was Antonio ELLIAS (1725-1798), an Italian composer and violinist who gained fame for his operas and instrumental works.
Throughout history, several other notable individuals have borne the surname ELLIAS, including Juan ELLIAS (1845-1912), a Spanish poet and playwright, and Miguel ELLIAS (1870-1940), a Mexican politician and diplomat who served as the ambassador to the United States.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ellias 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. Anglesey leads with 14 Ellias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 176.10x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Anglesey | 14 | 176.10x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.01x |
| Glamorgan | 8 | 10.24x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.35x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.75x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.65x |
| Caernarfonshire | 2 | 11.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Briton Ferry in Glamorgan leads with 8 Ellias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 860.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Briton Ferry | 8 | 860.22x |
| Llangristiolus | 7 | 5833.33x |
| St Botolph Aldgate London | 6 | 652.17x |
| Huddersfield | 5 | 77.16x |
| Llanfihangel Trer | 5 | 10000.00x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 7.96x |
| Liverpool | 3 | 9.28x |
| Abererch | 2 | 740.74x |
| Llandysilio | 2 | 800.00x |
| Hemsworth | 1 | 384.62x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.06x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.77x |
| West Derby | 1 | 6.42x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 22.62x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ellias 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 Ellias 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 Ellias households.
FAQ
In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Ellias surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Ellias a modern rank of #38,419.
A surname likely derived from the given name Elijah, from the Hebrew meaning "my God is Yahweh".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ellias 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.