NameCensus.

UK surname

Kilbourn

A locational surname likely derived from a place name meaning "stream by the hillock".

In the 1881 census there were 161 people recorded with the Kilbourn surname, ranking it #14,801 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, down from #14,801 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Burton-on-Trent, London parishes and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, North Warwickshire and Broxbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kilbourn is 245 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.7%.

1881 census count

161

Ranked #14,801

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

1911

245 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kilbourn had 161 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,801 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 245 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kilbourn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kilbourn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kilbourn 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 148 #13,028
1861 historical 114 #19,011
1881 historical 161 #14,801
1891 historical 215 #14,155
1901 historical 184 #15,942
1911 historical 245 #13,084
1997 modern 181 #18,763
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 182 #19,300
2001 modern 180 #19,161
2002 modern 190 #18,889
2003 modern 173 #19,834
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 157 #21,128
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 156 #21,650
2008 modern 162 #21,350
2009 modern 164 #21,628
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 160 #22,282
2012 modern 155 #22,762
2013 modern 155 #23,108
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Kilbourns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Burton-on-Trent, London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Burrough, Somerby and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, North Warwickshire, Broxbourne, Harborough and Rother. 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 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Burrough, Somerby Leicestershire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 012 South Norfolk
2 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
3 Broxbourne 005 Broxbourne
4 Harborough 007 Harborough
5 Rother 008 Rother

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kilbourn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kilbourn

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kilbourn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kilbourn 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Kilbourn is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Kilbourn is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kilbourn falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kilbourn 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Kilbourn

The surname Kilbourn originated in England, likely derived from the Old English words "cill" meaning a stream or brook, and "burna" meaning a stream or river. This combination suggests the name originally referred to someone who lived near a small stream or brook.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Killburne". This ancient record of landowners and properties in England after the Norman Conquest provides evidence of the name's long-standing history in the country.

Over time, various spellings emerged, including Kilbourne, Kilburn, Kilburne, and Kilbourn. These variations reflect regional dialects and the evolution of language during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Kilburne held estates in Derbyshire, England. This early reference indicates the name's association with landowners and gentry during that era.

Notable individuals with the surname Kilbourn include:

1. Thomas Kilbourn (c. 1615-1689), an early settler and founder of the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut, in the American colonies. 2. John Kilbourn (1624-1703), a prominent figure in the early settlement of Connecticut and one of the founders of the town of Woodbury. 3. Dwight C. Kilbourn (1835-1889), an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio. 4. Coles Kilbourn (1854-1933), an American industrialist and co-founder of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company. 5. Rowland Kilbourn (1859-1941), an American politician and businessman who served as Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The name Kilbourn has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Kilburn in London and Kilburn in Derbyshire, further reinforcing its historical roots and geographical connections within the country.

Overall, the surname Kilbourn has a rich history dating back to medieval England, with its origins rooted in Old English words describing someone who lived near a small stream or brook. Its presence in historical records and its association with notable individuals and places reflect its enduring legacy over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kilbourn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kilbourn 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. Leicestershire leads with 38 Kilbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.82x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 38 21.82x
Middlesex 19 1.21x
Staffordshire 14 2.64x
Yorkshire 12 0.77x
Durham 10 2.14x
Nottinghamshire 10 4.72x
Warwickshire 8 2.02x
Hampshire 7 2.17x
Kent 7 1.31x
Norfolk 6 2.48x
Suffolk 6 3.14x
Hertfordshire 4 3.70x
Northamptonshire 4 2.71x
Derbyshire 3 1.22x
Surrey 3 0.39x
Worcestershire 3 1.46x
Essex 2 0.65x
Lancashire 2 0.11x
Lincolnshire 2 0.80x
Berkshire 1 0.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester All Sts in Leicestershire leads with 10 Kilbourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 292.40x.

Place Total Index
Leicester All Sts 10 292.40x
Basford 8 81.97x
Burton Upon Trent 8 64.52x
Somerby 8 2758.62x
Hartley Wintney 7 721.65x
Haswell 7 208.96x
Lewisham 7 24.50x
Norwich St Helen 6 2000.00x
Hackney London 5 5.68x
Leicester St Mary 5 35.54x
Old Stratford 5 223.21x
Pickwell Leesthorpe 5 3846.15x
St Pancras London 5 3.96x
Islington London 4 2.63x
Ware 4 129.03x
Bradford 3 7.96x
Brafield On Green 3 1034.48x
Cockfield 3 600.00x
Derby St Werburgh 3 21.13x
Huddersfield 3 13.23x
Hunslet 3 12.36x
Oldbury 3 29.73x
Rugby 3 55.97x
Sedgley 3 15.24x
Shoreditch London 3 4.41x
Shotton 3 258.62x
Stanstead 3 1500.00x
Walsall Foreign 3 10.96x
Aylestone 2 145.99x
Hampstead London 2 8.18x
Hathern 2 281.69x
Leicester Newarke 2 219.78x
North Kilworth 2 833.33x
Nottingham St Mary 2 3.65x
West Ham 2 2.92x
Accrington 1 5.90x
Blatchinworth 1 23.58x
Camberwell 1 1.00x
Dalton In Huddersfield 1 28.65x
Dewsbury 1 6.27x
Fleet 1 138.89x
Sileby 1 90.91x
St Nicholas Lincoln 1 41.67x
Stansfield 1 17.45x
Syston 1 61.35x
Walton On Thames 1 28.49x
Welford 1 200.00x
Wimbledon 1 11.64x
Winkfield 1 51.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Sarah 8
Alice 6
Ann 6
Emma 5
Elizabeth 3
Amy 2
Annie 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Mgt. 2
Alma 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Blanch 1
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Eliza. 1
Elizth. 1
Elvira 1
Esther 1
Francis 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Lois 1
Lottie 1
Lousia 1
Lydia 1
Mariah 1
Martha 1
Ophelia 1
Phillis 1
Rebecca 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 12
William 9
John 6
Alfred 4
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 3
Abraham 2
Charles 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Harry 2
James 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Arthur 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Emmanuel 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Sam. 1
Saml 1

FAQ

Kilbourn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kilbourn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 161 people were recorded with the Kilbourn surname. That placed it at #14,801 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kilbourn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Kilbourn a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Kilbourn surname mean?

A locational surname likely derived from a place name meaning "stream by the hillock".

What does the Kilbourn map show?

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