UK surname
A topographic surname derived from a small stream or brook.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Rill surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newbury, Winwick and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rill is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 90.5%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rill surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rill surname density by area, 1861 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 | 21 | #29,550 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 70 | #28,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newbury, Winwick, Paddington, St Pancras and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). 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 | Newbury | Berkshire |
| 2 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 3 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rill 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 Rill, 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 Rill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rill 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, Rill 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 Rill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RILL has its roots in England, originating during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ryl," meaning a small stream or rivulet. This suggests that the name's earliest bearers likely resided near such a water source.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the RILL surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their estates commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, including "Rile" and "Ryle," reflecting the fluid nature of surnames during that era.
Throughout the centuries, the RILL surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir John Rill (1564-1639), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the city of London in the early 17th century.
Another historically significant bearer of the RILL name was William Rill (1736-1813), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the American Revolutionary War. He rose through the ranks and eventually attained the position of Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy.
In the realm of literature, the name RILL is linked to the 19th-century English author and poet Elizabeth Rill (1828-1901). Her works, although not widely acclaimed during her lifetime, have since been recognized for their insightful portrayal of Victorian society.
The RILL surname also has connections to the world of academia. One notable example is Professor Robert Rill (1892-1972), a renowned historian and author who made significant contributions to the study of medieval Europe through his scholarly works and teachings at Oxford University.
Lastly, the name RILL has been associated with places and locations as well. One such instance is the village of Rill in Somerset, England, which likely derived its name from the presence of a small stream or rivulet in the area, reflecting the surname's etymological origins.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rill 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. Middlesex leads with 11 Rills recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.69x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 2.22x |
| Berkshire | 7 | 22.77x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 5.43x |
| Devon | 2 | 2.35x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.41x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 3.18x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.11x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.84x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.54x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.72x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.87x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newbury in Berkshire leads with 7 Rills recorded in 1881 and an index of 714.29x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Newbury | 7 | 714.29x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 32.41x |
| Headingley Cum Burley | 4 | 153.26x |
| Islington London | 4 | 10.08x |
| Beverley St Martin | 3 | 441.18x |
| Basford | 2 | 78.74x |
| Wells Next Sea | 2 | 540.54x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.98x |
| Chatham | 1 | 26.04x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 1 | 61.35x |
| Dartmouth St Savior | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Habergham Eaves | 1 | 22.52x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.39x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.39x |
| Mathon | 1 | 625.00x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 7.00x |
| Pontefract | 1 | 114.94x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 42.74x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.03x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 27.70x |
| Wakefield | 1 | 32.05x |
| Watford | 1 | 45.66x |
| Woodside Quarter | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rill 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 Rill 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 Rill households.
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Rill surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Rill a modern rank of #38,419.
A topographic surname derived from a small stream or brook.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rill 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.