UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Spanish word "taller" meaning workshop or studio.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Taller surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Burslem and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Taller is 119 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.2%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
119 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Taller surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Taller 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 | 29 | #28,082 |
| 1861 | historical | 119 | #18,393 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 5 | #33,728 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Burslem, Toxteth Park, St Dunstan Stepney and Bottisham. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Burslem | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Bottisham | Cambridgeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Taller 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 Taller, 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 Taller surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Taller 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, Taller 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 Taller is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Taller, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Taller is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "tall," which referred to a person's height or stature. This name may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname or occupational reference.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Taller can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire from 1332, where a Robert le Taller is listed. This suggests that the name had already established itself in this region of England by the 14th century.
In the late 15th century, the Taller surname appeared in the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the influential Paston family. One letter, dated around 1472, mentions a "John Taller," indicating the presence of this surname in Norfolk during that time.
The Taller surname may also have been associated with certain place names or locations. For instance, the village of Tallers in Somerset, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Taleres," could potentially have contributed to the development of the surname in that region.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Taller surname. One such person was John Taller (c. 1515-1576), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Ludgershall during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another notable figure was William Taller (1675-1736), a British architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
In the 19th century, James Taller (1813-1888) was a prominent American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1869 to 1872.
More recently, the British author and journalist David Taller (1937-2020) gained recognition for his work as a writer and broadcaster, covering topics such as history, travel, and culture.
Additionally, the surname Taller has been associated with various other fields, including academia, sports, and the arts, with individuals like Professor Sarah Taller (b. 1961), a renowned historian at the University of Cambridge, and Michael Taller (b. 1978), a former professional football player for the English national team.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Taller 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. Surrey leads with 10 Tallers recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 10 | 11.69x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 1.92x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 3.37x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 2.90x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 7 Tallers recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 7 | 45.72x |
| Over Darwen | 4 | 240.96x |
| Clapham | 2 | 91.32x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 30.86x |
| Hammerwich | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Handsworth | 1 | 68.49x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 23.92x |
| Mickleham | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Taller 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 Taller 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 Taller households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Head Gardener | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Dock Labourer | 1 |
| Kitchen Maid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Master Baker Employ 1 Girl 1 Youth | 1 |
| Principal | 1 |
| Stripper & Grainer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Taller surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Taller a modern rank of #37,178.
An occupational surname derived from the Spanish word "taller" meaning workshop or studio.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Taller 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.