NameCensus.

UK surname

Spiller

An occupational surname referring to one who spills or dispenses provisions, such as a butler or innkeeper.

In the 1881 census there were 1,689 people recorded with the Spiller surname, ranking it #2,543 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,971, ranked #3,266, down from #2,543 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Devon, Taunton Deane and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spiller is 2,289 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.7%.

1881 census count

1,689

Ranked #2,543

Modern count

1,971

2016, ranked #3,266

Peak year

1911

2,289 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Spiller had 1,689 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,543 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,971 in 2016, ranked #3,266.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,289 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Spiller surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Spiller surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Spiller 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 1,054 #2,656
1861 historical 1,040 #2,694
1881 historical 1,689 #2,543
1891 historical 1,816 #2,530
1901 historical 2,004 #2,659
1911 historical 2,289 #2,215
1997 modern 2,132 #2,896
1998 modern 2,221 #2,895
1999 modern 2,213 #2,929
2000 modern 2,171 #2,952
2001 modern 2,110 #2,972
2002 modern 2,153 #2,979
2003 modern 2,074 #3,021
2004 modern 2,026 #3,081
2005 modern 2,010 #3,073
2006 modern 2,014 #3,075
2007 modern 2,026 #3,088
2008 modern 2,029 #3,105
2009 modern 2,067 #3,128
2010 modern 2,084 #3,169
2011 modern 2,003 #3,232
2012 modern 1,944 #3,257
2013 modern 1,995 #3,251
2014 modern 2,005 #3,254
2015 modern 1,983 #3,261
2016 modern 1,971 #3,266

Geography

Back to top

Where Spillers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Chard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Devon, Taunton Deane, South Somerset and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Chard Somerset
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Devon 001 East Devon
2 Taunton Deane 014 Taunton Deane
3 East Devon 019 East Devon
4 South Somerset 023 South Somerset
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 014 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Spiller

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Spiller

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Spiller is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Spiller is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Spiller falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Spiller is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Spiller

The surname Spiller has its origins in the German language, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word "spillen," which means "to play or frolic." This suggests that the name may have initially been given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a playful or carefree nature.

In the early years, the name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Germany, particularly in areas such as Bavaria and Saxony. Over time, it spread to other parts of Europe as people migrated and settled in new territories. Variations in spelling, such as Spiller, Spyller, and Spyler, emerged as the name traveled across different regions and languages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Spiller can be found in the Bavarian town of Landshut, where a man named Konrad Spiller was mentioned in a legal document from the year 1283. Another notable early record comes from the city of Leipzig in Saxony, where a certain Hans Spiller was listed as a resident in a municipal registry from 1412.

As the name spread across Europe, it gained recognition in various historical records and manuscripts. For instance, in the 16th century, a Dutch merchant named Pieter Spiller was documented as a prominent figure in the spice trade between the Netherlands and the East Indies.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Spiller have made their mark in various fields. One notable example is Johann Spiller (1619-1684), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Elector of Saxony. Another prominent figure was the English painter Henry Spiller (1788-1868), known for his landscapes and historical scenes.

In the realm of literature, the German writer and philosopher Friedrich Spiller (1805-1887) gained recognition for his works on ethics and aesthetics. Additionally, the American politician and lawyer Burnet Spiller (1836-1914) served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Lastly, the British physicist and mathematician Sir John Spiller (1920-2005) made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics and played a crucial role in the development of nuclear power in the United Kingdom.

These examples demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the surname Spiller throughout history, reflecting the rich tapestry of stories and legacies associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Spiller families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spiller 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. Middlesex leads with 353 Spillers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.12x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 353 2.12x
Somerset 341 12.75x
Devon 313 9.05x
Dorset 116 10.64x
Gloucestershire 103 3.16x
Surrey 83 1.03x
Cornwall 54 2.87x
Kent 51 0.90x
Glamorgan 44 1.52x
Lancashire 36 0.18x
Sussex 33 1.18x
Warwickshire 30 0.72x
Essex 24 0.73x
Hampshire 19 0.56x
Oxfordshire 13 1.27x
Channel Islands 10 2.03x
Leicestershire 10 0.54x
Lanarkshire 8 0.15x
Northamptonshire 7 0.45x
Wiltshire 7 0.48x
Cheshire 6 0.16x
Monmouthshire 6 0.50x
Berkshire 5 0.40x
Royal Navy 5 2.53x
Angus 4 0.26x
Durham 3 0.06x
Hertfordshire 3 0.26x
Lincolnshire 3 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.20x
Cardiganshire 2 0.49x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.09x
Yorkshire 2 0.01x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.14x
Cumberland 1 0.07x
Derbyshire 1 0.04x
Merionethshire 1 0.33x
Worcestershire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yarcombe in Devon leads with 47 Spillers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1183.88x.

Place Total Index
Yarcombe 47 1183.88x
Islington London 39 2.42x
St Pancras London 38 2.84x
Chard 33 101.88x
St Luke London 30 11.26x
Taunton St James 26 66.67x
Paddington London 24 3.93x
Camberwell 21 1.98x
Clifton 21 12.75x
Axminster 20 123.38x
Bridport 20 89.13x
Taunton St Mary 20 40.74x
Clerkenwell London 19 4.85x
Hampstead London 19 7.34x
North Curry 19 208.79x
Brighton 18 3.19x
Broadway 17 658.91x
Bermondsey 16 3.24x
Bristol St James St Paul 16 14.73x
Maker 16 92.11x
St Marylebone London 16 1.80x
Westbury On Trym 16 14.50x
Chickerell 15 321.89x
Curland 15 1415.09x
Edgbaston 15 11.55x
Enfield 15 13.76x
Membury 15 408.72x
Bristol Temple 14 65.27x
Stoke Damerel 13 5.37x
Wellington 13 35.85x
Combe St Nicholas 12 185.47x
Pitminster 12 152.67x
St George Hanover 12 5.53x
Stockland 12 240.00x
Aston 11 0.95x
Hammersmith London 11 2.69x
Manchester 11 1.24x
Sherborne 11 34.26x
Bristol St Augustine 10 19.02x
Hackney London 10 1.07x
Landrake 10 239.23x
Limehouse London 10 5.48x
Plymouth Charles The 10 6.56x
St Germans 10 76.22x
St Giles In Fields 10 17.45x
Swansea Town 10 4.22x
Axmouth 9 231.96x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 2.93x
Chardstock 9 119.21x
Combpyne 9 1232.88x
Ilton 9 361.45x
Oxford St Clement 9 34.76x
St Andrew Holborn 9 15.98x
Wells St Cuthbert 9 49.32x
Bedminster 8 3.18x
Bloxworth 8 540.54x
Clapham 8 3.85x
Fulham London 8 3.32x
Govan 8 0.60x
Great Warley 8 107.67x
Greenwich 8 3.03x
Honiton 8 41.80x
Ibstock 8 59.75x
Lambeth 8 0.55x
Long Ashton 8 60.33x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 3.00x
Shepton Beauchamp 8 219.78x
Sock Dennis 8 5000.00x
Staplegrove 8 246.15x
Devonport 7 17.61x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 8.84x
High Ham 7 109.89x
Kilmington 7 245.61x
Leyton Low 7 10.50x
Loders 7 129.15x
Lympsham 7 270.27x
Newington 7 1.14x
North Petherton 7 32.45x
St Peter Port 7 7.69x
Tottenham 7 2.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 102
Elizabeth 75
Sarah 41
Emma 35
Jane 34
Emily 32
Ann 30
Ellen 30
Eliza 27
Annie 25
Alice 23
Florence 15
Susan 15
Hannah 14
Bessie 13
Caroline 13
Harriet 13
Charlotte 12
Louisa 12
Edith 11
Lucy 11
Anne 10
Martha 10
Frances 9
Jessie 9
Julia 9
Maria 9
Ethel 7
Ada 6
Catherine 6
Clara 6
Fanny 6
Harriett 6
Kate 6
Elizth. 5
Henrietta 5
Laura 5
Lydia 5
Rose 5
Rosina 5
Beatrice 4
Matilda 4
Rebecca 4
Selina 4
Amelia 3
Amy 3
Isabella 3
Maud 3
Minnie 3
Rachel 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 115
John 93
Henry 60
George 53
Thomas 41
James 38
Charles 27
Robert 24
Alfred 22
Frederick 22
Albert 19
Edward 19
Arthur 16
Samuel 16
Francis 12
Joseph 12
Walter 12
Harry 11
Richard 10
Frank 9
Edwin 8
Ernest 7
Herbert 7
Wm. 7
Thos. 6
Benjamin 4
Chas. 4
Christopher 4
Fred 4
Fredrick 4
Sidney 4
Tom 4
Willm. 4
Abraham 3
Andrew 3
Eli 3
Geo. 3
Oliver 3
Robt. 3
David 2
Harold 2
Jim 2
Percy 2
Reginald 2
Saml. 2
Simeon 2
Simon 2
Sydney 2
Wilfred 2
Wm.Veysey 2

FAQ

Spiller surname: questions and answers

How common was the Spiller surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,689 people were recorded with the Spiller surname. That placed it at #2,543 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Spiller surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,971 in 2016. That gives Spiller a modern rank of #3,266.

What does the Spiller surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to one who spills or dispenses provisions, such as a butler or innkeeper.

What does the Spiller map show?

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