NameCensus.

UK surname

Flis

A surname of Scandinavian origin, meaning "skilled" or "adept".

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Flis surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wycombe, East Hampshire and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Flis is 126 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3050.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2016

126 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Flis had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Flis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Flis surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Flis 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
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1997 modern 13 #36,672
1998 modern 12 #36,790
1999 modern 13 #36,693
2000 modern 14 #36,522
2001 modern 14 #36,372
2002 modern 9 #37,051
2003 modern 12 #36,715
2004 modern 17 #36,342
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 29 #35,605
2007 modern 47 #34,558
2008 modern 59 #33,827
2009 modern 69 #33,257
2010 modern 84 #32,289
2011 modern 85 #32,127
2012 modern 106 #29,187
2013 modern 113 #28,502
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Flis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wycombe, East Hampshire, Wandsworth, Sandwell and Spelthorne. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wycombe 013 Wycombe
2 East Hampshire 013 East Hampshire
3 Wandsworth 018 Wandsworth
4 Sandwell 020 Sandwell
5 Spelthorne 006 Spelthorne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Flis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Flis

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Flis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Flis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Flis is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Flis 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

Flis 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 Flis 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Flis

The surname FLIS is of Polish origin, with roots traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Polish word "flis," which referred to a raftsman or a person who navigated rafts along rivers. The name FLIS was likely a descriptive occupational surname given to individuals involved in the rafting trade, particularly along major Polish waterways like the Vistula River.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname FLIS can be found in the town records of Krakow, dating back to the late 1500s. These records documented the presence of several families bearing this name in the region.

In the 17th century, the surname FLIS appeared in various historical documents, including parish registers and land ownership records, across different regions of Poland. This suggests that the name had spread to other areas, possibly carried by individuals or families seeking new opportunities or relocating for various reasons.

One notable figure with the surname FLIS was Jan Flis, a Polish painter who lived from 1629 to 1699. He was a prominent artist of the Baroque era and is renowned for his religious and allegorical works, many of which can be found in churches and museums across Poland.

Another individual of note was Andrzej Flis, a Polish nobleman and military leader who lived from 1635 to 1702. He played a significant role in the Polish-Ottoman Wars and was recognized for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 19th century, the surname FLIS gained further recognition with the birth of Ignacy Flis (1820-1888), a Polish priest and writer. He authored several religious and philosophical works that were widely read during his time.

Another notable figure was Józef Flis (1855-1932), a Polish politician and member of the Galician Sejm (regional parliament). He was actively involved in advocating for Polish independence and played a crucial role in the political landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The surname FLIS also has variants and similar spellings in other languages, such as Fliss or Flisz, which can be found among Polish communities in neighboring countries like Germany and Ukraine.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Flis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Flis 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. Surrey leads with 4 Flis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.13x.

County Total Index
Surrey 4 21.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 4 Flis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 117.99x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 4 117.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 1
Jesse 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Harry 1
Robert 1

Top occupations

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 Flis households.

Occupation Count
Labourer 1

FAQ

Flis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Flis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Flis surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Flis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Flis a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Flis surname mean?

A surname of Scandinavian origin, meaning "skilled" or "adept".

What does the Flis map show?

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