NameCensus.

UK surname

Stiller

A German occupational surname referring to a calm or quiet person, derived from the German word "still".

In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Stiller surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 198, ranked #19,713, up from #28,011 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother, Wealden and Epsom and Ewell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stiller is 198 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 395.0%.

1881 census count

40

Ranked #28,011

Modern count

198

2016, ranked #19,713

Peak year

2016

198 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stiller had 40 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,011 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016, ranked #19,713.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 87 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Stiller surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stiller surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stiller 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 51 #27,498
1881 historical 40 #28,011
1891 historical 80 #26,785
1901 historical 80 #25,251
1911 historical 87 #24,147
1997 modern 147 #21,393
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 161 #20,822
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 170 #20,243
2003 modern 169 #20,092
2004 modern 165 #20,530
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 168 #20,634
2008 modern 176 #20,224
2009 modern 178 #20,486
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 183 #20,356
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 191 #20,302
2015 modern 192 #20,138
2016 modern 198 #19,713

Geography

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Where Stillers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother, Wealden, Epsom and Ewell, Havant and Coventry. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 002 Rother
2 Wealden 008 Wealden
3 Epsom and Ewell 005 Epsom and Ewell
4 Havant 019 Havant
5 Coventry 036 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stiller

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stiller

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Stiller surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Stiller household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Stiller is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Stiller is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stiller falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stiller is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stiller

The surname Stiller originated in Germany during the medieval period, specifically in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. It is derived from the German word "Stille," which means "quiet" or "peaceful." This suggests that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone known for their calm and tranquil demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Stiller can be found in the Bavarian town records of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, dating back to the 14th century. These records mention a Hanns Stiller, a local merchant and landowner. Another early reference is found in the chronicles of the city of Leipzig, where a certain Konrad Stiller is mentioned as a respected citizen in the year 1412.

The Stiller name also appears in several historical documents related to the Protestant Reformation. During this period, a Lutheran theologian and reformer named Michael Stiller (1487-1567) played a significant role in spreading the teachings of Martin Luther in the region of Saxony. His writings and sermons were influential in shaping the religious landscape of the time.

In the 17th century, the name Stiller was associated with the town of Stillersgrun, located in the Vogtlandkreis region of Saxony. This place name is believed to have derived from the Stiller family, who were prominent landowners in the area. One notable member of this family was Hans Stiller (1592-1658), a successful merchant and civic leader who helped establish the town's prosperity.

Another prominent figure bearing the Stiller surname was Johann Jakob Stiller (1701-1781), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister (music director) at the court of the Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. His works, including numerous church cantatas and instrumental pieces, were highly regarded during his lifetime.

In the 19th century, the Stiller name gained recognition in the field of literature with the writer and poet Adalbert Stiller (1809-1863). Born in Dresden, Saxony, Stiller was known for his romantic poetry and is considered one of the foremost representatives of the "Young Germany" literary movement.

Throughout its history, the surname Stiller has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including craftsmen, scholars, artists, and professionals. While the name has maintained its stronghold in Germany, it has also spread to other parts of the world through emigration, particularly to North America and other European countries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stiller families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stiller 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. Sussex leads with 14 Stillers recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.29x.

County Total Index
Sussex 14 21.29x
Kent 9 6.76x
Surrey 7 3.68x
Lancashire 6 1.30x
Middlesex 4 1.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Grinstead in Sussex leads with 8 Stillers recorded in 1881 and an index of 860.22x.

Place Total Index
East Grinstead 8 860.22x
Croydon 6 56.87x
Manchester 6 28.83x
Tonbridge 5 104.17x
Hartfield 3 1428.57x
Withyam 3 1071.43x
Brasted 2 1176.47x
Pembury 2 1052.63x
Hornsey 1 20.28x
Islington London 1 2.65x
Lambeth 1 2.94x
Shoreditch London 1 5.91x
Spitalfields London 1 34.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Charlotte 3
Ellen 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Caroline 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Jane 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Polly 1
Rosa 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
George 3
John 2
Albert 1
Conrad 1
Frederic 1
James 1
Lesser 1
Mark 1
Nicholas 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Stiller households.

FAQ

Stiller surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stiller surname in 1881?

In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Stiller surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stiller surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016. That gives Stiller a modern rank of #19,713.

What does the Stiller surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to a calm or quiet person, derived from the German word "still".

What does the Stiller map show?

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