NameCensus.

UK surname

Illes

From French "îles" meaning "islands", a locational surname referring to someone who lived on an island.

In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Illes surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 157, ranked #23,006, up from #27,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Mid Sussex and Cotswold.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Illes is 157 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 234.0%.

1881 census count

47

Ranked #27,019

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2015

157 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Illes had 47 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 62 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Illes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Illes surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Illes 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 47 #27,019
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 44 #29,276
1911 historical 62 #26,622
1997 modern 77 #29,874
1998 modern 79 #30,080
1999 modern 74 #30,759
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 79 #30,549
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 86 #30,094
2006 modern 97 #28,793
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 151 #23,529
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Illes' 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 Leicester, Mid Sussex, Cotswold and Hertsmere. 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 Leicester 009 Leicester
2 Mid Sussex 007 Mid Sussex
3 Cotswold 007 Cotswold
4 Cotswold 011 Cotswold
5 Hertsmere 010 Hertsmere

Forenames

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First names often paired with Illes

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Illes

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Illes, 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 Illes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Illes 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Illes is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Illes 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

Illes falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Illes

The surname ILLES has its origins in Spain, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "ille," meaning "that one" or "he." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname or a distinguishing moniker to individuals who exhibited particular characteristics or traits.

During the Middle Ages, surnames were not as widely used as they are today, and people were often identified by their place of origin, occupation, or physical attributes. The name ILLES may have initially referred to someone who had come from a specific location or region within Spain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ILLES surname can be found in the Catalonian region of Spain, where it was documented in the 13th century. It is possible that the name was originally spelled as "Illes" or "Ylles," reflecting the regional variations in language and pronunciation.

In the 15th century, the name ILLES appeared in various historical documents, including tax records and property deeds. One notable figure from this period was Juan de Illes, a merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Valencia during the late 1400s.

As the centuries progressed, the ILLES surname spread throughout Spain and eventually to other parts of Europe and the Americas. Some notable individuals bearing this surname include:

1. Pedro Illes (1560-1625), a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits. 2. Antonio Illes y Vidal (1670-1732), a Spanish military officer who served in the War of the Spanish Succession. 3. Margarita Illes (1785-1854), a Spanish playwright and poet who gained recognition for her theatrical works. 4. Juan Illes Ferrer (1858-1926), a Catalan architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in Barcelona. 5. Emilio Illes Armenteros (1890-1976), a Cuban writer and journalist who contributed to the literary movement of the early 20th century.

While the ILLES surname may have originated from a descriptive nickname or a specific location, it has since become a widely recognized Spanish surname with a rich historical presence across various regions and disciplines.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Illes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Illes 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. Gloucestershire leads with 31 Illes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.48x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 31 34.48x
Sussex 3 3.88x
Warwickshire 3 2.60x
Middlesex 2 0.44x
Monmouthshire 2 6.04x
Surrey 2 0.90x
Cornwall 1 1.93x
Derbyshire 1 1.39x
Hertfordshire 1 3.17x
Lancashire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broadwell in Gloucestershire leads with 9 Illes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.

Place Total Index
Broadwell 9 15000.00x
Winson 7 23333.33x
Lower Swell 6 10000.00x
Withington 5 5000.00x
Chiddingly 3 2142.86x
Aston 2 6.28x
Christchurch 2 194.17x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 21.69x
Birmingham 1 2.60x
Chipping Barnet 1 181.82x
Cliviger 1 322.58x
Limehouse London 1 19.88x
Newlyn 1 454.55x
Oddington 1 1250.00x
Paddington London 1 5.93x
Painswick 1 156.25x
Prestbury 1 454.55x
Spondon 1 357.14x
Stapleton 1 58.48x

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 Illes households.

FAQ

Illes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Illes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Illes surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Illes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Illes a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Illes surname mean?

From French "îles" meaning "islands", a locational surname referring to someone who lived on an island.

What does the Illes map show?

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