NameCensus.

UK surname

Stilwell

A locational surname denoting someone who lived by a peaceful stream or well.

In the 1881 census there were 434 people recorded with the Stilwell surname, ranking it #7,512 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 660, ranked #8,078, down from #7,512 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Godalming, London parishes and Arundel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chichester, Woking and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stilwell is 679 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.1%.

1881 census count

434

Ranked #7,512

Modern count

660

2016, ranked #8,078

Peak year

2013

679 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stilwell had 434 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,512 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 660 in 2016, ranked #8,078.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 620 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stilwell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stilwell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stilwell 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 297 #7,707
1861 historical 292 #8,626
1881 historical 434 #7,512
1891 historical 437 #8,251
1901 historical 510 #7,945
1911 historical 620 #6,668
1997 modern 646 #7,688
1998 modern 668 #7,753
1999 modern 670 #7,761
2000 modern 675 #7,706
2001 modern 658 #7,722
2002 modern 657 #7,880
2003 modern 640 #7,911
2004 modern 643 #7,902
2005 modern 629 #7,978
2006 modern 619 #8,089
2007 modern 620 #8,149
2008 modern 626 #8,140
2009 modern 629 #8,289
2010 modern 644 #8,312
2011 modern 637 #8,290
2012 modern 633 #8,242
2013 modern 679 #7,929
2014 modern 672 #8,037
2015 modern 667 #8,026
2016 modern 660 #8,078

Geography

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Where Stilwells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Godalming, London parishes, Arundel and Wandsworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chichester, Woking, Harrow, Central Bedfordshire and Crawley. 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 Godalming Surrey
2 London parishes London 1
3 Arundel Sussex
4 London parishes London 3
5 Wandsworth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chichester 007 Chichester
2 Woking 001 Woking
3 Harrow 029 Harrow
4 Central Bedfordshire 004 Central Bedfordshire
5 Crawley 009 Crawley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stilwell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stilwell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stilwell, 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 Stilwell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Stilwell 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Stilwell 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

Stilwell is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stilwell falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stilwell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stilwell

The surname Stilwell has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "stilla" meaning "quiet" or "still" and "well" referring to a source of water, suggesting a connection to a peaceful body of water or a tranquil dwelling near a well.

In early records, the name appeared with various spellings such as Stillewell, Stylwell, and Stilewell, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a person named Thomas de Stillewell is mentioned.

The Stilwell name is believed to have originated in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk in eastern England, where some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found. It is also associated with place names like Stilwell in Norfolk, which may have contributed to the formation of the surname.

One notable bearer of the Stilwell name was Silas M. Stilwell, an American military officer who served in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. He was born in 1819 and played a significant role in the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863.

Another prominent figure was John Stilwell, a 17th-century English composer and organist who lived from around 1625 to 1675. He served as the organist at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford and contributed to the development of English church music during his lifetime.

In the realm of literature, Myra H. Stilwell (1868-1935) was an American novelist and short story writer known for her works set in the American West, including "The Calico Cat" and "The Guardians of the Trail."

Sir John Stilwell (1887-1975) was a British Army officer who served in both World Wars and was knighted for his military service. He played a crucial role in the Burma Campaign during World War II and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Lastly, Winthrop Stilwell (1921-2007) was an American artist and sculptor renowned for his abstract metal sculptures. He was born in Massachusetts and had works exhibited in several prominent museums and galleries throughout his career.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Stilwell throughout history, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stilwell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stilwell 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. Surrey leads with 148 Stilwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.14x.

County Total Index
Surrey 148 7.14x
Sussex 110 15.34x
Middlesex 83 1.95x
Hampshire 19 2.18x
Kent 15 1.03x
Yorkshire 13 0.31x
Warwickshire 12 1.12x
Lancashire 10 0.20x
Devon 8 0.90x
Essex 8 0.95x
Derbyshire 4 0.60x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.78x
Royal Navy 2 3.95x
Berkshire 1 0.31x
Herefordshire 1 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoughton in Sussex leads with 42 Stilwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 4615.38x.

Place Total Index
Stoughton 42 4615.38x
Godalming 25 191.57x
Westbourne 18 504.20x
Betchworth 15 585.94x
Up Marden 14 2857.14x
Islington London 13 3.15x
Arundel 12 298.51x
Hillingdon 12 88.50x
Wandsworth 11 26.87x
Hackney London 10 4.19x
Subdeanery 10 183.82x
Bermondsey 9 7.11x
Beckenham 8 42.17x
Croydon 8 6.95x
Lambeth 8 2.16x
Reigate Foreign 8 35.65x
Stoke 8 81.80x
Yateley 8 484.85x
Shalford 7 305.68x
Westminster St John 7 13.52x
Battersea 6 3.83x
Birmingham 6 1.68x
Camberwell 6 2.21x
Coventry St Michael 6 17.42x
Holy Trinity 6 5.92x
Newton 6 15.42x
Axminster 5 120.48x
Bulmer 5 495.05x
Kensington London 5 2.11x
Paddington London 5 3.20x
Portsea 5 2.93x
St George Hanover 5 9.01x
St Pancras London 5 1.46x
Aldingbourn 4 370.37x
Bolsover 4 119.76x
Chiddingfold 4 206.19x
Dover St James 4 62.89x
Epsom 4 39.60x
Leeds 4 1.68x
Newdigate 4 412.37x
Worplesdon 4 160.00x
Barrow In Furness 3 4.37x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.62x
Chelsea London 3 2.34x
Edmonton 3 8.75x
Elstead 3 300.00x
Kingston On Thames 3 6.03x
Linchmere 3 600.00x
Penge 3 11.04x
Plymouth Charles The 3 7.69x
Westminster St 3 19.13x
Beddington 2 24.97x
Bradford 2 1.96x
Ealing 2 5.26x
Eton 2 34.31x
Farlington 2 112.36x
Fulham London 2 3.24x
Hambledon 2 91.32x
Leyton 2 13.83x
Milton In Gravesend 2 9.19x
Royal Navy 2 4.62x
St Marylebone London 2 0.88x
Wotton 2 198.02x
Bramley 1 54.64x
Brighton 1 0.69x
Dorking 1 7.19x
Fownhope 1 65.79x
Guildford St Mary 1 39.22x
Hamsey 1 123.46x
Hascombe 1 158.73x
Idsworth 1 172.41x
Kilham 1 56.50x
Lewisham 1 1.29x
Portsmouth 1 4.98x
South Bersted 1 16.39x
St Bartholomew Hyde 1 48.08x
St Luke London 1 1.47x
Tottenham 1 1.48x
West Derby 1 0.68x
Woodford 1 10.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Ellen 13
Eliza 11
Sarah 11
Emily 9
Ann 7
Elizabeth 7
Emma 7
Anne 6
Charlotte 6
Edith 6
Harriett 6
Louisa 6
Alice 5
Annie 5
Lucy 5
Agnes 4
Caroline 4
Harriet 4
Catherine 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Jane 3
Jessie 3
Maria 3
Sophia 3
Ada 2
Adelaide 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Ethel 2
Flora 2
Lilian 2
Lizzie 2
Maud 2
Norah 2
Bertha 1
Elizth. 1
Ellan 1
Eunice 1
Jemima 1
Julia 1
Juliet 1
Kate 1
Katerine 1
Laura 1
Winfred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 23
James 16
George 15
Henry 10
Charles 9
Harry 8
Thomas 8
Richard 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 5
Edward 5
Albert 4
Benjamin 4
Robert 4
Ernest 3
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Ambrose 2
Chas. 2
Frank 2
Josiah 2
Samuel 2
Sydney 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Cornelius 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Egwell 1
Elbert 1
Elijah 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.C. 1
Geoffrey 1
Hen. 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Isreal 1
Jas. 1
Jonathan 1
Philip 1
R.E. 1
Reginald 1
Saml. 1
Spencer 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1

FAQ

Stilwell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stilwell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 434 people were recorded with the Stilwell surname. That placed it at #7,512 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stilwell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 660 in 2016. That gives Stilwell a modern rank of #8,078.

What does the Stilwell surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone who lived by a peaceful stream or well.

What does the Stilwell map show?

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