UK surname
A surname derived from a nickname meaning "little" or "short".
In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Nill surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #32,081 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, London parishes and Battersea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nill is 146 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.0%.
1881 census count
11
Ranked #32,081
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1891
146 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nill surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nill 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 74 | #24,370 |
| 1881 | historical | 11 | #32,081 |
| 1891 | historical | 146 | #18,664 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 58 | #27,001 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, London parishes, Battersea, Manchester and Lambeth. 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 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nill 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 Nill, 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 Nill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nill 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, Nill 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 Nill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname NILL has its origins in Germany, with records suggesting it first appeared in the late 15th century. The name is thought to be derived from the German word "Niehler," which referred to someone who lived near the River Nill. This river still flows through the city of Cologne in the western region of Germany.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name NILL can be found in a manuscript from the town of Neuhausen, located near Stuttgart, dating back to 1497. This document mentions a "Hans Nill," who was likely a local resident or landowner in the area at that time.
Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has varied slightly, with variations such as "Nyll," "Nylle," and "Niel" appearing in various historical records. Some of these variations may have been influenced by regional dialects or scribal errors in record-keeping.
In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname NILL was Johann Nill, a Lutheran theologian and reformer born in Saxony in 1523. He played a role in the spread of Protestantism in Germany during the Reformation era.
Another significant individual with this surname was the German artist and engraver Johann Wilhelm Nill, who lived from 1781 to 1857. His intricate copperplate engravings depicting landscapes and architectural scenes were highly regarded during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, a German politician named Otto Nill served as a member of the Reichstag, the parliament of the German Empire, representing the city of Cologne from 1871 to 1874.
Moving into the 20th century, the name NILL is associated with Max Nill, a German architect and urban planner who lived from 1898 to 1957. He was influential in the reconstruction and redesign of several German cities after the devastation of World War II.
Another notable figure with this surname was the German-American mathematician and physicist Erwin Nill, born in 1907. He made significant contributions to the fields of quantum mechanics and nuclear physics during his career.
While these are just a few examples, the surname NILL has a rich history that can be traced back to its German origins and the various individuals who have carried this name over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nill 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 3 Nills recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.36x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bridgewater in Somerset leads with 3 Nills recorded in 1881 and an index of 638.30x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | 3 | 638.30x |
| Liverpool | 3 | 38.81x |
| Brighton | 2 | 54.79x |
| Childer Thornton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 227.27x |
| Portsea | 1 | 23.20x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nill 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 Nill 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 Nill households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Customs Officer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Excavator | 1 |
| None Husd At Sea | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Nill surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Nill a modern rank of #36,533.
A surname derived from a nickname meaning "little" or "short".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nill 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.