NameCensus.

UK surname

Elvis

A surname representing an obscure lineage or area of origin.

In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Elvis surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 114, ranked #28,515, down from #21,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Kidderminster and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lichfield, North Warwickshire and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elvis is 114 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.1%.

1881 census count

85

Ranked #21,573

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2016

114 bearers

Map years

3

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Elvis had 85 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 111 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Elvis surname distribution map

The map shows where the Elvis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Elvis surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Elvis over time

The 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 52 #23,915
1861 historical 80 #23,566
1881 historical 85 #21,573
1891 historical 100 #24,045
1901 historical 111 #21,492
1911 historical 91 #23,684
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 96 #28,188
1999 modern 96 #28,326
2000 modern 94 #28,573
2001 modern 91 #28,670
2002 modern 89 #29,428
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 93 #29,065
2005 modern 87 #29,966
2006 modern 94 #29,264
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 109 #29,452
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Elvis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Kidderminster, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken, London parishes and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lichfield, North Warwickshire, Hackney and Croydon. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 St Pancras London (North Districts)
2 Kidderminster Worcestershire
3 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lichfield 007 Lichfield
2 North Warwickshire 006 North Warwickshire
3 Hackney 029 Hackney
4 Croydon 019 Croydon
5 Croydon 027 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Elvis

These lists show first names that appear often with the Elvis surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Elvis

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Elvis, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Elvis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Elvis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Elvis is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Elvis is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Elvis falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Elvis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Elvis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Elvis

The surname Elvis is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "elf" (referring to a small supernatural being) and "wisc" (meaning a meadow or stream), essentially translating to "elf meadow" or "elf stream."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Aluuisc" and "Aluuiscus." This suggests that the name was present in various regions of England, particularly in areas with Anglo-Saxon influence, during the 11th century.

Throughout the centuries, the surname underwent various spelling variations, including Elvish, Elvishe, Elwish, and Elwysh, among others. These variations reflect the evolution of the English language and regional dialects over time.

Notably, the surname Elvis was associated with several historical figures, including John Elvis (c. 1595 - 1658), an English explorer and navigator who played a role in the colonization of Bermuda. Another prominent individual was Reverend Robert Elvis (1670 - 1743), an Anglican clergyman and author from Lincolnshire, England.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of John Elvis Steen (1804 - 1868), a Baptist minister and author from Virginia, United States. His son, Iesha Elvis, born in 1843, was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Ella Elvis Thayer (1857 - 1944), a prominent American educator and activist from Massachusetts, who advocated for women's rights and educational reform.

While the surname Elvis has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who emigrated from the British Isles. However, it is important to note that this detailed history focuses solely on the surname Elvis and does not include information about its use as a first or given name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Elvis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elvis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 20 Elvis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.44x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 20 2.44x
Lincolnshire 15 11.45x
Warwickshire 15 7.26x
Gloucestershire 7 4.36x
Worcestershire 7 6.54x
Staffordshire 5 1.81x
Cheshire 2 1.11x
Durham 2 0.82x
Kent 2 0.72x
Lancashire 2 0.21x
Norfolk 2 1.59x
Suffolk 2 2.00x
Surrey 1 0.25x
Sussex 1 0.72x
Yorkshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 11 Elvis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.98x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 11 15.98x
Holbeach 10 684.93x
St Pancras London 8 12.13x
Cheltenham 7 56.50x
Kidderminster Borough 6 95.85x
Handsworth 5 73.31x
Aston 4 7.03x
Baston 3 1363.64x
St George Hanover Square 3 20.79x
St Marylebone London 3 6.86x
Bexley 2 80.97x
Durham St Nicholas 2 333.33x
Higher Bebington 2 172.41x
Liverpool 2 3.39x
Poplar London 2 12.94x
Spalding 2 76.92x
St George In East London 2 25.97x
Stonham Earl 2 1111.11x
Brighton 1 3.59x
Chelsea London 1 4.05x
Kings Norton 1 10.43x
Little Smeaton In 1 1250.00x
Norwich St Helen 1 625.00x
Norwich St Peter 1 120.48x
Shoreditch London 1 2.82x
Wimbledon 1 22.32x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Elvis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Elvis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 8
Henry 5
John 4
Richard 4
Charles 3
Alfred 2
Ernest 2
Joseph 2
Auther 1
Benjamin 1
Clarance 1
E. 1
Edwin 1
George 1
Isiah 1
James 1
Jesse 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Elvis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Elvis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Elvis surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Elvis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Elvis a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Elvis surname mean?

A surname representing an obscure lineage or area of origin.

What does the Elvis map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Elvis bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.