UK surname
A surname likely derived from the Old English word "selier" meaning seller or merchant.
In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Sillers surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #24,256 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kilbride, Ackworth and Lytham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sillers is 135 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 65.2%.
1881 census count
66
Ranked #24,256
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
135 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sillers surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sillers 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 | 91 | #18,187 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 66 | #24,256 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 29 | #34,839 |
| 2002 | modern | 28 | #35,139 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 22 | #36,105 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 25 | #36,252 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 24 | #36,358 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kilbride, Ackworth, Lytham, Greenock and Kilmory. 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 | Kilbride | Bute |
| 2 | Ackworth | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Lytham | Lancashire |
| 4 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| 5 | Kilmory | Bute |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sillers 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 Sillers, 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 Sillers surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sillers 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, Sillers 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 Sillers is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sillers, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Sillers is believed to have originated in England, likely during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sillere," which referred to a seller or merchant. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to someone who worked as a trader or salesperson.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sillers can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Worcestershire, a census-like record from 1273, which mentions a person named Walter le Sillere. The presence of the prefix "le" indicates that the name was initially used in its occupational form.
In the 14th century, the name appears in various county records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, which lists a John le Sillere. During this time, the name also started to appear without the "le" prefix, as seen in the records of the Poll Tax of Yorkshire in 1379, which includes a Thomas Sillers.
The surname Sillers may also be connected to certain place names in England, such as Sillers Ley in Worcestershire. It's possible that the name originated from this location or a similar place name.
Notable individuals throughout history who bore the surname Sillers include:
1. John Sillers (c. 1590-1660), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Provost of Queen's College, Oxford. 2. William Sillers (1675-1741), a British merchant and politician who served as the Mayor of Poole in 1724. 3. Mary Sillers (1785-1867), an English writer and poet known for her works on education and moral philosophy. 4. George Sillers (1815-1892), a British architect and civil engineer who designed several notable buildings in London. 5. Robert Sillers (1876-1948), an American politician who served as the Governor of Mississippi from 1916 to 1920.
While the surname Sillers may have evolved over time and taken on various spellings, its origins can be traced back to England and the occupational term "sillere," reflecting the name's connection to the trade and merchant professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sillers 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. Buteshire leads with 21 Sillers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 522.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Buteshire | 21 | 522.39x |
| Ayrshire | 10 | 20.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 10 | 4.66x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.02x |
| Renfrewshire | 7 | 13.62x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.01x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.30x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 4.17x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.30x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 8.12x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.44x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.66x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.94x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilmory in Buteshire leads with 21 Sillers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3559.32x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmory | 21 | 3559.32x |
| Govan | 8 | 15.08x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 7 | 112.00x |
| Riccarton Hurlford | 5 | 574.71x |
| Galston | 4 | 294.12x |
| West Greenock | 4 | 43.38x |
| Paisley Low Church | 2 | 122.70x |
| Trevethin | 2 | 44.15x |
| Westoe | 2 | 17.89x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.84x |
| Cambusnethan | 1 | 21.01x |
| Gembling | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Ilkley | 1 | 93.46x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.71x |
| Lezayre | 1 | 181.82x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.10x |
| Paisley Middle Church | 1 | 33.44x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 13.26x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.79x |
| Sorn | 1 | 103.09x |
| Withington | 1 | 39.53x |
| Yeovil | 1 | 46.08x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sillers 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 Sillers 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 Sillers households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Appte Dress Mkr | 1 |
| B 1 C | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Coachman & Gardener | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Formerly Needlewoman | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Joiner Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Sillers surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Sillers a modern rank of #36,457.
A surname likely derived from the Old English word "selier" meaning seller or merchant.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sillers 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.