NameCensus.

UK surname

Liles

Derived from a place name meaning "island" in Old English, or from the French word for "lilies."

In the 1881 census there were 269 people recorded with the Liles surname, ranking it #10,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 654, ranked #8,139, up from #10,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Bradford and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Carmarthenshire and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Liles is 707 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 143.1%.

1881 census count

269

Ranked #10,506

Modern count

654

2016, ranked #8,139

Peak year

1999

707 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Liles had 269 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 654 in 2016, ranked #8,139.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 489 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Liles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Liles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Liles 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 178 #11,397
1861 historical 137 #16,465
1881 historical 269 #10,506
1891 historical 332 #10,251
1901 historical 408 #9,358
1911 historical 489 #7,959
1997 modern 643 #7,719
1998 modern 691 #7,560
1999 modern 707 #7,457
2000 modern 684 #7,625
2001 modern 675 #7,569
2002 modern 690 #7,597
2003 modern 699 #7,393
2004 modern 653 #7,807
2005 modern 649 #7,781
2006 modern 666 #7,659
2007 modern 681 #7,602
2008 modern 674 #7,695
2009 modern 678 #7,836
2010 modern 705 #7,739
2011 modern 692 #7,748
2012 modern 683 #7,759
2013 modern 685 #7,877
2014 modern 689 #7,875
2015 modern 663 #8,063
2016 modern 654 #8,139

Geography

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Where Liles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Bradford, Sheffield and Gransden, Great. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Carmarthenshire, Tunbridge Wells and Bolton. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Gransden, Great Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 059 Kirklees
2 Carmarthenshire 010 Carmarthenshire
3 Tunbridge Wells 008 Tunbridge Wells
4 Carmarthenshire 011 Carmarthenshire
5 Bolton 029 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Liles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Liles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Liles, 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 Liles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Liles 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Liles is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Liles is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Liles falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Liles

The surname Liles is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'leah,' which referred to a woodland clearing or meadow. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near or in such an area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Liles can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'de Liles.' This entry indicates that the name was already established in England during the Norman Conquest, likely referring to a family or individual residing in a particular location.

During the 13th century, variations of the name, such as 'de Lyly' and 'de Lylly,' emerged in various historical records, reflecting the evolution of spelling conventions over time. These variations often incorporated place names or descriptive elements associated with the family's origin or residence.

In the 14th century, John Liles, a prominent merchant from Bristol, was documented as owning several properties and engaging in international trade. His success and influence likely contributed to the further spread and recognition of the surname.

Sir John Liles, born in 1562 and died in 1638, was a renowned English soldier and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. His military exploits and political involvement brought notable distinction to the Liles name.

Another noteworthy figure was William Liles, a 17th-century English author and poet born in 1617. His literary works, including poems and philosophical treatises, gained recognition during his lifetime and contributed to the cultural legacy associated with the surname.

In the 18th century, the name Liles appeared in various parish records throughout England, particularly in counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset. This suggests the surname had established strongholds in certain regions.

One notable individual from this period was Mary Liles, born in 1725, who became a prominent figure in the early days of the American colonies. Her involvement in the revolutionary movement and advocacy for women's rights left a lasting impact on the nation's history.

Throughout the centuries, the Liles surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, each contributing to its rich tapestry of history and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Liles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Liles 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. Middlesex leads with 47 Liles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.79x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 47 1.79x
Yorkshire 42 1.62x
Lancashire 34 1.09x
Gloucestershire 20 3.89x
Hertfordshire 19 10.50x
Somerset 17 4.02x
Cambridgeshire 16 9.63x
Surrey 12 0.94x
Wiltshire 12 5.17x
Cheshire 9 1.55x
Glamorgan 9 1.97x
Kent 8 0.89x
Shropshire 8 3.53x
Monmouthshire 5 2.64x
Huntingdonshire 4 7.68x
Derbyshire 3 0.73x
Oxfordshire 2 1.23x
Devon 1 0.18x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Bolton in Lancashire leads with 21 Liles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.92x.

Place Total Index
Great Bolton 21 50.92x
Islington London 12 4.72x
St Andrewthe Less 11 57.93x
Hornsey 10 30.14x
Ashton Under Lyne 8 11.76x
Bedminster 8 20.16x
Cheadle 8 72.33x
Ludlow St Lawrence 8 177.38x
Bradford 7 11.12x
Bramley In Bramley 7 70.35x
Chislehurst 7 145.83x
Wombwell 7 92.35x
Hunshelf 6 472.44x
Brightside Bierlow 5 9.80x
Clerkenwell London 5 8.07x
Codicote 5 462.96x
Doynton 5 1388.89x
Llantwit Vairdre 5 97.28x
Oldbury On Hill 5 1428.57x
Paddington London 5 5.18x
Soham 5 139.66x
Southwark St Saviour 5 37.06x
St Woollos 5 23.62x
Streatham 5 25.68x
Swindon 5 27.78x
Bowling 4 15.53x
Finchley 4 39.76x
Garsdon 4 2500.00x
Great Gransden 4 701.75x
Hertford St John 4 148.15x
Rickmansworth 4 80.32x
Skelmanthorpe 4 142.35x
Wick Abson 4 506.33x
Derby St Peter 3 22.94x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 3 31.85x
Oldham 3 2.99x
Saffron Hill London 3 535.71x
Saltford 3 750.00x
Westbury 3 55.35x
Weston 3 92.31x
Weston 3 344.83x
Aberdare 2 6.38x
Bath St James 2 45.35x
Bitton Oldland 2 38.02x
Brickendon 2 238.10x
Oxford St Giles 2 25.87x
Roath 2 9.64x
Shadwell London 2 27.25x
Shoreditch London 2 1.76x
Altrincham 1 9.88x
Brocklesby 1 416.67x
Camberwell 1 0.60x
East Stonehouse 1 9.29x
Edmonton 1 4.73x
Farnworth 1 5.36x
Halton East 1 400.00x
Hertford All Saints 1 99.01x
Horfield 1 19.31x
Horton In Bradford 1 2.46x
Lambeth 1 0.44x
Liverpool 1 0.53x
Milton In Gravesend 1 7.45x
St Martin In Fields 1 6.37x
St Marylebone London 1 0.71x
Walcot 1 4.44x
Westminster St Margaret 1 7.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 10
Jane 9
Ellen 8
Alice 5
Ann 5
Hannah 5
Sarah 5
Emily 4
Annie 3
Clara 3
Eliza 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Bertha 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Gertrude 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Rosa 2
Ruth 2
Celia 1
Deborah 1
Elizth.G. 1
Eunice 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Florie 1
Harriette 1
Jessie 1
Joanna 1
Laura 1
Leah 1
Lois 1
Lylley 1
Margaret 1
Minie 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Nelly 1
Phillis 1
Polly 1
Rhoda 1
Rosena 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
John 14
George 12
Thomas 9
Charles 8
Henry 8
James 6
Frank 5
Fred 5
Arthur 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Moses 3
Richard 3
Willm. 3
David 2
Edward 2
Philip 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
A. 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Earnest 1
Ernest 1
Fredk.W. 1
Fredrick 1
Friend 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Kate 1
Mark 1
Oliver 1
Phillip 1
Seth 1
Timothy 1
Walter 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Liles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Liles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 269 people were recorded with the Liles surname. That placed it at #10,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Liles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 654 in 2016. That gives Liles a modern rank of #8,139.

What does the Liles surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "island" in Old English, or from the French word for "lilies."

What does the Liles map show?

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