NameCensus.

UK surname

Ollis

Derived from a Norman French place name meaning "church on a hill" or from the Old Norse personal name "Áleifr."

In the 1881 census there were 254 people recorded with the Ollis surname, ranking it #10,949 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 362, ranked #12,810, down from #10,949 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Tendring and Bath and North East Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ollis is 435 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.5%.

1881 census count

254

Ranked #10,949

Modern count

362

2016, ranked #12,810

Peak year

1911

435 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ollis had 254 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,949 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 362 in 2016, ranked #12,810.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 435 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Ollis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ollis surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Ollis 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 260 #8,512
1861 historical 186 #12,751
1881 historical 254 #10,949
1891 historical 303 #11,039
1901 historical 348 #10,484
1911 historical 435 #8,724
1997 modern 376 #11,533
1998 modern 411 #11,122
1999 modern 410 #11,246
2000 modern 411 #11,185
2001 modern 404 #11,142
2002 modern 398 #11,478
2003 modern 385 #11,570
2004 modern 384 #11,625
2005 modern 384 #11,538
2006 modern 370 #11,940
2007 modern 382 #11,775
2008 modern 386 #11,795
2009 modern 397 #11,793
2010 modern 401 #11,973
2011 modern 384 #12,218
2012 modern 364 #12,564
2013 modern 383 #12,314
2014 modern 375 #12,578
2015 modern 369 #12,627
2016 modern 362 #12,810

Geography

Back to top

Where Ollis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Walcott, Charlcome. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Tendring and Bath and North East Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 Walcott, Charlcome Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 013 Mendip
2 Mendip 005 Mendip
3 Tendring 004 Tendring
4 Bath and North East Somerset 003 Bath and North East Somerset
5 Mendip 008 Mendip

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Ollis

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Ollis

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Ollis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ollis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Ollis is most associated with areas classed as Inner London Working Professionals, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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

These primarily Inner London neighbourhoods are more densely populated than the Supergroup average. Residents have a younger over-all age profile than the Supergroup as a whole, and are less likely to be owner occupiers. Full time employment is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup and multiple car ownership is uncommon. Chinese and non-EU-born European migrants are less in evidence than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ollis is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ollis falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ollis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ollis

The surname Ollis has its origins in England and dates back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "olfend," meaning "camel-keeper" or "camel-driver." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have been involved in the trade or transportation of camels, a rare occupation in medieval England.

The name Ollis was initially spelled in various ways, such as Olfend, Olffend, and Olfynd, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal variations of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where a certain "Willelmus Olfend" is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the name Ollis began to appear in various historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which lists a "Johannes Olfynd." This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of England by that time.

During the 15th century, the name Ollis gained prominence, and several notable individuals bearing this surname emerged. One such person was Sir John Ollis (c. 1420-1489), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Nottinghamshire. Another was William Ollis (c. 1460-1525), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol.

In the 16th century, the name Ollis continued to be associated with individuals of significance. One notable example is Thomas Ollis (c. 1510-1572), a playwright and poet who is believed to have contributed to the works of William Shakespeare. Another is Sir Richard Ollis (c. 1535-1602), a renowned military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Anglo-Spanish War.

As the centuries progressed, the name Ollis spread further across England and beyond. In the 18th century, a notable figure was John Ollis (1703-1778), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from London. His innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology made him a respected figure in his time.

Throughout its history, the surname Ollis has been borne by many individuals who have left their mark in various fields, including politics, literature, military service, and craftsmanship. While the name's origins may be humble, its bearers have achieved remarkable accomplishments, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Ollis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ollis 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. Somerset leads with 91 Ollis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.82x.

County Total Index
Somerset 91 22.82x
Gloucestershire 34 7.00x
Warwickshire 28 4.48x
Surrey 17 1.41x
Middlesex 16 0.65x
Essex 14 2.86x
Hampshire 14 2.76x
Worcestershire 9 2.78x
Devon 7 1.36x
Lancashire 7 0.24x
Flintshire 4 6.01x
Norfolk 4 1.05x
Wiltshire 4 1.83x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Kent 1 0.12x
Monmouthshire 1 0.56x
Shropshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Keynsham in Somerset leads with 50 Ollis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1748.25x.

Place Total Index
Keynsham 50 1748.25x
Birmingham 27 12.97x
Saltford 21 5526.32x
Great Oakley 14 1794.87x
Walcot 14 65.91x
Bitton 12 283.69x
Camberwell 12 7.58x
Portsea 11 11.05x
Bitton Oldland 10 201.21x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 19.67x
Kings Norton 8 27.58x
New Brentford 7 538.46x
Stoke Damerel 7 19.39x
Toxteth Park 5 5.02x
Heigham 4 19.56x
Langley Burrell 4 439.56x
Mold Leeswood 4 264.90x
Bedminster 3 8.00x
Islington London 3 1.25x
Bath St Michael 2 99.01x
Chelsea London 2 2.68x
Heckmondwike 2 25.32x
Lambeth 2 0.93x
Newington 2 2.19x
North Meols 2 6.95x
Widley 2 219.78x
Bedwellty 1 3.16x
Bermondsey 1 1.36x
Bristol St George 1 4.45x
Clifton 1 4.07x
Greenwich 1 2.54x
Hodnet 1 59.88x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 9.58x
Milverton 1 54.64x
Northfield 1 16.29x
Odiham 1 44.84x
St Andrew Holborn 1 11.90x
St George Hanover 1 3.09x
St Marylebone London 1 0.76x
Tottenham 1 2.53x
Westbury On Severn 1 51.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 14
Mary 14
Eliza 8
Sarah 8
Emily 7
Annie 5
Emma 5
Ellen 4
Florence 4
Lucy 4
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Ann 2
Esther 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Kezia 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Susanah 2
Susanna 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Christinna 1
Clara 1
Deliah 1
Dinah 1
E.B.A.M. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
F.Alice 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Julia 1
Lena 1
Loisa 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Priscilla 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
George 13
Thomas 9
John 7
Henry 6
Alfred 5
Harry 5
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Frank 4
James 4
Robert 4
Albert 3
Chas.Wright 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Nathaniel 2
Samuel 2
Abel 1
Abraham 1
Arther 1
Benjn. 1
Benjn.J. 1
Clifford 1
Edwin 1
Frederic 1
Gilbert 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Issac 1
Job 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Matthias 1
Roland 1
Sarah 1
Simeon 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ollis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ollis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 254 people were recorded with the Ollis surname. That placed it at #10,949 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ollis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 362 in 2016. That gives Ollis a modern rank of #12,810.

What does the Ollis surname mean?

Derived from a Norman French place name meaning "church on a hill" or from the Old Norse personal name "Áleifr."

What does the Ollis map show?

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