UK surname
A surname derived from the lily flower, often given to someone with a fair complexion.
In the 1881 census there were 143 people recorded with the Lily surname, ranking it #15,955 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 97, ranked #31,585, down from #15,955 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lantwit-juxta-Neath, Govan Combination and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lily is 226 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 32.2%.
1881 census count
143
Ranked #15,955
Modern count
97
2016, ranked #31,585
Peak year
1891
226 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lily surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lily surname density by area, 1881 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 | 51 | #24,096 |
| 1861 | historical | 90 | #22,312 |
| 1881 | historical | 143 | #15,955 |
| 1891 | historical | 226 | #13,668 |
| 1901 | historical | 131 | #19,552 |
| 1911 | historical | 134 | #19,131 |
| 1997 | modern | 53 | #32,329 |
| 1998 | modern | 45 | #33,374 |
| 1999 | modern | 37 | #34,248 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 34 | #35,608 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 47 | #34,989 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 68 | #33,877 |
| 2014 | modern | 75 | #33,473 |
| 2015 | modern | 78 | #33,210 |
| 2016 | modern | 97 | #31,585 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lantwit-juxta-Neath, Govan Combination, Manchester, Lambeth and Nottingham St Mary. 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 | Lantwit-juxta-Neath | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lily 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 Lily, 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 Lily surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lily 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, Lily 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 Lily is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lily, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LILY is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "lilie," which itself stems from the Latin "lilium," meaning lily flower. The name likely originated as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near a place abundant with lilies or worked with the flowers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LILY surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Leicestershire in 1195, where a William Lili is mentioned. The surname also surfaces in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, referring to a Hugo Lili. These early appearances indicate that LILY was an established surname in various parts of England by the late medieval period.
The LILY name can be found in several historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mention a John Lili. In the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1381, a Thomas Lyly is recorded, showcasing the variations in spelling that were common during that era.
Noteworthy individuals bearing the LILY surname throughout history include John Lyly (1554-1606), an English playwright and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His works, such as "Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit" and "Endymion, the Man in the Moon," were highly influential in shaping the English Renaissance literary style.
Another prominent figure was William Lily (1468-1522), an English Renaissance grammarian and scholar. He is best known for his influential Latin grammar textbook, "A Short Introduction of Grammar," which was widely used in English schools for centuries.
The LILY surname also has connections to place names, such as Lily Hill in Berkshire, England, and Lily Village in Gloucestershire, both of which likely derived their names from the abundance of lilies in those areas.
Other notable individuals with the LILY surname include Sir Charles Samuel Lily (1826-1909), a British architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, and William Samuel Lily (1840-1904), an English explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of Japanese flora and fauna.
While the LILY surname may have evolved from humble beginnings as a descriptive name for those associated with the lily flower, it has since been borne by individuals who have made lasting contributions to various fields, including literature, education, architecture, and exploration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lily 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 19 Lilys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.16x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 19 | 1.16x |
| Middlesex | 19 | 1.37x |
| Yorkshire | 18 | 1.31x |
| Kent | 11 | 2.33x |
| Lanarkshire | 10 | 2.23x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 2.29x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 3.32x |
| Denbighshire | 5 | 9.56x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 2.07x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.74x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 1.47x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 2.14x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.10x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 1.35x |
| Sussex | 3 | 1.28x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 0.92x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.70x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 3.52x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 1.30x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 0.94x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.19x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 1.63x |
| Angus | 1 | 0.78x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 0.96x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.33x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 4.65x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.49x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Farnborough in Kent leads with 8 Lilys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1159.42x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lily surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 11 |
| Emma | 5 |
| Sarah | 5 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Martha | 4 |
| Sophia | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Bridget | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| Phoebe | 2 |
| Rose | 2 |
| Winifred | 2 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Diania | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Georgeina | 1 |
| Isabel | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Jemina | 1 |
| Levinia | 1 |
| Lily | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lily surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 143 people were recorded with the Lily surname. That placed it at #15,955 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016. That gives Lily a modern rank of #31,585.
A surname derived from the lily flower, often given to someone with a fair complexion.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lily 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.