UK surname
Originally from a place called Rilley in northern England.
In the 1881 census there were 348 people recorded with the Rilley surname, ranking it #8,791 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #8,791 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rilley is 435 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.1%.
1881 census count
348
Ranked #8,791
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1861
435 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rilley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rilley 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 | 141 | #13,507 |
| 1861 | historical | 435 | #5,918 |
| 1881 | historical | 348 | #8,791 |
| 1891 | historical | 305 | #10,976 |
| 1901 | historical | 231 | #13,805 |
| 1911 | historical | 90 | #23,797 |
| 1997 | modern | 49 | #32,776 |
| 1998 | modern | 57 | #32,226 |
| 1999 | modern | 49 | #33,130 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 48 | #33,129 |
| 2002 | modern | 47 | #33,548 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 45 | #33,957 |
| 2005 | modern | 41 | #34,478 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 41 | #34,974 |
| 2008 | modern | 39 | #35,191 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 46 | #35,062 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 49 | #34,873 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Manchester. 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 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rilley 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 Rilley, 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 Rilley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rilley 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, Rilley 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 Rilley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rilley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rilley is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be a variant of the surname Riley, which is derived from the Old French word "rillé," meaning a small stream or rivulet. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a small stream or brook.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rilley can be found in the 13th century, in the county of Lancashire. Historical records show that a family bearing this surname resided in the village of Rilley, which is located near the town of Wigan. It is likely that the name originated as a toponymic surname, referring to the place where the family resided.
In the 14th century, the surname Rilley appeared in various documents, including the Chancery Rolls of 1384 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379. These records provide evidence of individuals bearing this surname in different parts of England, indicating that the name had begun to spread beyond its initial geographical origins.
One notable figure in history who bore the surname Rilley was Sir Thomas Rilley, a member of the English gentry who lived during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He served as a member of the Parliament of England and held considerable influence in the county of Lancashire.
Another individual of historical significance was John Rilley, born in 1598 in the village of Rilley, Lancashire. He was a prominent scholar and author, renowned for his works on theology and philosophy. His treatise, "The Essence of Truth," published in 1642, was widely read and discussed in academic circles of the time.
In the 17th century, the name Rilley was also found in various parish records and legal documents across England. One such record mentions a certain William Rilley, who was born in 1624 in the town of Macclesfield, Cheshire. He was a successful merchant and landowner, and his family's wealth and influence were well-established in the region.
During the 18th century, the surname Rilley continued to be present in various parts of England, with notable individuals such as Edward Rilley (1702-1778), a respected magistrate and landowner in the county of Yorkshire, and Mary Rilley (1734-1810), a celebrated author and poet from the city of Bristol.
Throughout its history, the surname Rilley has maintained a strong presence in England, particularly in the northern regions. While its origins can be traced back to the 12th century, the name has continued to evolve and spread across different regions, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rilley 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. Lanarkshire leads with 93 Rilleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 93 | 8.47x |
| Lancashire | 41 | 1.02x |
| Durham | 31 | 3.07x |
| Midlothian | 31 | 6.82x |
| Angus | 23 | 7.31x |
| Yorkshire | 19 | 0.56x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 0.44x |
| Perthshire | 14 | 9.19x |
| Ayrshire | 13 | 5.12x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 10 | 20.35x |
| Hampshire | 8 | 1.15x |
| Renfrewshire | 8 | 3.04x |
| Aberdeenshire | 7 | 2.23x |
| Selkirkshire | 5 | 16.28x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 0.79x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 0.35x |
| Wigtownshire | 4 | 8.87x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 0.40x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.18x |
| Fife | 2 | 1.00x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.17x |
| Stirlingshire | 2 | 1.60x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.23x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 0.67x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 0.34x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.17x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 27 Rilleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.72x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rilley 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 Rilley 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 Rilley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 27 |
| Coal Miner | 6 |
| Labourer | 5 |
| Cotton Weaver | 4 |
| Wife | 3 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Genl Laborer | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Asst Master | 1 |
| Baby | 1 |
| Boot Finisher | 1 |
| Brick Layer Lab | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Chemical Labourer Unemployed | 1 |
| Clerk In Cotton Brokers | 1 |
| Cotton Piecer | 1 |
| Dividends Etc | 1 |
| Engine Driver | 1 |
| Engineer E & M | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Field Worker | 1 |
| Finisher At Bleachworks | 1 |
| Formly Ag Labr | 1 |
| Foundry Labourer (Iron) | 1 |
| Gen Porter | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servant (Ag Lab) | 1 |
| Genl Serv (Dom) | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| Iron Furnaceman | 1 |
| Labourer Coal Mine | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| N K | 1 |
| Nurse (Sub Med Serv) | 1 |
| Pedlar | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Rope Sorter | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Soldiers Widdow | 1 |
| Spinner Flax | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Telegraph Clerk | 1 |
| Twister In (Cotton) | 1 |
| Waiter (Hot) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 348 people were recorded with the Rilley surname. That placed it at #8,791 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Rilley a modern rank of #34,780.
Originally from a place called Rilley in northern England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rilley 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.