UK surname
A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic term "coille" meaning dweller by the woods or forest.
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Killett surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 64, ranked #34,098, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lowestoft, Kirkley, Preston and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Killett is 170 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.8%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
64
2016, ranked #34,098
Peak year
1891
170 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Killett surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Killett surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 34 | #27,194 |
| 1861 | historical | 132 | #16,957 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 170 | #16,816 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 84 | #24,442 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 60 | #32,078 |
| 2000 | modern | 64 | #31,735 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 58 | #32,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 58 | #33,094 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 61 | #33,440 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 72 | #33,021 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 64 | #33,917 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 69 | #33,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 68 | #33,898 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 64 | #34,098 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lowestoft, Kirkley, Preston, Bradford, Carlton Colville and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowestoft, Kirkley | Suffolk |
| 2 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 3 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Carlton Colville | Suffolk |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Killett surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Killett, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Killett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Killett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Killett is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Killett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Killett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Killett is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "cyl" meaning keel and "hyll" meaning hill, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a keel-shaped hill.
One of the earliest known records of the name Killett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Chilhille". This entry suggests that the name was already well-established in certain regions of England by the late 11th century.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, such as "Kilhull", "Killhill", and "Kyllhyll". These variations likely reflect regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language.
In the 15th century, the name Killett began to take its modern form, with records showing individuals named "Kylet" and "Kylett" living in counties such as Wiltshire and Somerset.
One notable bearer of the surname Killett was Sir Thomas Killett (c. 1530-1592), an English landowner and Member of Parliament who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent figure was John Killett (1677-1751), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from Bristol, England, who founded several charities and bequeathed his fortune to support education and aid for the poor.
In the 18th century, the Killett family established roots in various parts of England, with records indicating individuals with this surname living in counties such as Kent, Devon, and Oxfordshire.
One distinguished member of the Killett family during this period was Richard Killett (1733-1809), a renowned architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Foundling Hospital.
As the British Empire expanded in the 19th century, some members of the Killett family emigrated to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
A notable example is William Killett (1822-1906), a pioneer settler in Australia who established one of the first successful vineyards in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.
Throughout its history, the surname Killett has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, politicians, and business leaders, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of those bearing this ancient English name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Killett surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 15 Killetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.02x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 15 | 3.02x |
| Suffolk | 9 | 17.63x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 7.62x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.19x |
| Norfolk | 3 | 4.65x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.72x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 2.11x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lowestoft in Suffolk leads with 9 Killetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 373.44x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lowestoft | 9 | 373.44x |
| Liverpool | 8 | 26.48x |
| Derby St Peter | 5 | 239.23x |
| Orrell | 4 | 645.16x |
| Great Yarmouth | 3 | 56.18x |
| Hunslet | 3 | 46.30x |
| Manchester | 2 | 8.94x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 5.93x |
| Adlington | 1 | 212.77x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.91x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 9.68x |
| Madron Penzance | 1 | 57.80x |
| St Clement Danes London | 1 | 114.94x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 4.47x |
| Whittonstall | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Killett surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Killett surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Killett households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| General Servant Unemployed | 2 |
| A B | 1 |
| Agent | 1 |
| Chemist & Druggist | 1 |
| Fourth Hand | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant (Domestic) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Journeyman Tailor | 1 |
| Journeyman Tailor Wife | 1 |
| Locomotive Engine Smith (S M Maker) | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Master Mariner | 1 |
| Net Mender | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Painter & Glazier | 1 |
| Parlour Maid | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Shop Boy | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Killett surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 64 in 2016. That gives Killett a modern rank of #34,098.
A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic term "coille" meaning dweller by the woods or forest.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Killett bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.