NameCensus.

UK surname

Estill

A habitational name from any of the places in England called Easthill.

In the 1881 census there were 121 people recorded with the Estill surname, ranking it #17,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #17,671 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitby, Pickering and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Scarborough and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Estill is 162 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.7%.

1881 census count

121

Ranked #17,671

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

1911

162 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Estill had 121 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,671 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 162 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Estill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Estill surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Estill 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 57 #23,092
1861 historical 111 #19,429
1881 historical 121 #17,671
1891 historical 112 #22,291
1901 historical 152 #17,916
1911 historical 162 #17,003
1997 modern 102 #26,638
1998 modern 107 #26,555
1999 modern 113 #25,913
2000 modern 105 #27,001
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 96 #28,381
2004 modern 90 #29,481
2005 modern 92 #29,271
2006 modern 89 #30,027
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 90 #31,094
2010 modern 100 #30,225
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 106 #29,187
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Estills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitby, Pickering, Eccles, Fylingdales and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Scarborough and County Durham. 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 Whitby Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Pickering Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Eccles Lancashire
4 Fylingdales Yorkshire, North Riding
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Scarborough 004 Scarborough
2 Scarborough 001 Scarborough
3 Scarborough 002 Scarborough
4 Scarborough 003 Scarborough
5 County Durham 052 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Estill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Estill

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Estill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Estill household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Estill is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Estill is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Estill falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Estill 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 Estill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Estill

The surname Estill originates from England and is believed to date back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English words "east" and "hill," referring to a location or settlement situated on an eastern hill or slope. The name was likely first used to identify individuals living in such areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Estill can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxable resources throughout England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This document mentions individuals with variations of the name, such as "Esthulle" and "Esthilla."

During the Middle Ages, the surname Estill began to appear more frequently in various records and documents across England. In the 13th century, a notable figure named William Estill was a landowner and prominent figure in the county of Kent. Records from the 14th century mention a John Estill, who served as a sheriff in the city of London.

As the name spread across different regions of England, it evolved into various spellings and variations, such as Estill, Estell, Estelle, and Estill. Some of these variations were also influenced by the Norman French language, which was prevalent in certain areas of England during this period.

In the 16th century, the Estill family established themselves as landowners and influential figures in the county of Essex. One notable member was Sir Thomas Estill (1515-1588), who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his services to the crown.

Another prominent figure with the surname Estill was Robert Estill (1660-1718), a successful merchant and philanthropist from the city of Bristol. He made significant contributions to the city's development and funded the construction of several churches and charitable institutions.

In the 18th century, the Estill surname gained recognition in the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Benjamin Estill (1726-1781), a pioneer and militia officer who played a significant role in the settlement of Kentucky. He was killed in the Battle of Little Mountain during the American Revolutionary War.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, several individuals with the surname Estill made notable contributions in various fields. These include William Estill (1854-1928), an American politician who served as a United States Senator from California, and Josiah Estill (1867-1941), a prominent educator and administrator who served as the president of several universities in the United States.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Estill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Estill 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. Yorkshire leads with 102 Estills recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.72x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 102 8.72x
Lancashire 15 1.07x
Northumberland 3 1.71x
Durham 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitby in Yorkshire leads with 18 Estills recorded in 1881 and an index of 456.85x.

Place Total Index
Whitby 18 456.85x
Newton In Pickering 12 12000.00x
Scarborough 11 103.48x
Barton Upon Irwell 9 85.39x
Leeds 9 13.63x
Ruswarp 9 692.31x
Silpho 9 30000.00x
Thorpe Bassett 8 10000.00x
Heaton Norris 5 62.74x
Middlesbrough 5 32.83x
Whitwell On The Hill 5 6250.00x
Fylingdales 3 517.24x
Hawsker Cum Stainsacre 3 769.23x
Holy Trinity 3 10.66x
Mason 3 750.00x
Meltham 3 164.84x
Allerton 1 294.12x
Appleton Le Street 1 1428.57x
Halifax 1 5.82x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 106.38x
Stranton 1 8.46x
West Ayton 1 526.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Sarah 7
Esther 5
Ann 4
Jane 3
Maria 3
Julia 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Susannah 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Joyce 1
Lousia 1
Margeret 1
Margt. 1
Martha 1
Maud 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 8
George 6
Thomas 5
Arthur 3
Charles 2
James 2
Robt. 2
Wm. 2
Alfred 1
Dobson 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Edwd.Lamb 1
Francis 1
Geo.E. 1
Harry 1
Isac 1
Jillson 1
Joseph 1
Lenard 1
Newton 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Estill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Estill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 121 people were recorded with the Estill surname. That placed it at #17,671 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Estill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Estill a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Estill surname mean?

A habitational name from any of the places in England called Easthill.

What does the Estill map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Estill 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.