UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Tilly derived from the medieval unisex name Thille.
In the 1881 census there were 96 people recorded with the Tillie surname, ranking it #20,248 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #20,248 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Lauder and Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tillie is 122 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 61.5%.
1881 census count
96
Ranked #20,248
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1891
122 bearers
Map years
2
1891 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Tillie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Tillie surname density by area, 1901 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 74 | #24,370 |
| 1881 | historical | 96 | #20,248 |
| 1891 | historical | 122 | #21,053 |
| 1901 | historical | 103 | #22,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 44 | #33,601 |
| 2000 | modern | 39 | #34,066 |
| 2001 | modern | 36 | #34,171 |
| 2002 | modern | 36 | #34,480 |
| 2003 | modern | 31 | #34,957 |
| 2004 | modern | 33 | #34,947 |
| 2005 | modern | 34 | #35,056 |
| 2006 | modern | 35 | #35,191 |
| 2007 | modern | 36 | #35,278 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 40 | #35,274 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 38 | #35,481 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 38 | #35,547 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Lauder, Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset), Edinburgh and Woodhorn. 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 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 2 | Lauder | Berwick |
| 3 | Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset) | Northumberland |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Woodhorn | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Tillie 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 Tillie, 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 Tillie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Tillie 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, Tillie 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 Tillie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Tillie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Tillie is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "tili," which means "industrious" or "hardworking." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was known for their diligence and work ethic.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tillie can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Tillius," which was likely a variant spelling at the time.
During the 13th century, the Tillie family is believed to have been prominent landowners in the county of Hertfordshire, located north of London. Records from this period show the name spelled as "Tilie" or "Tilye," indicating that the spelling was not yet standardized.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Tillie was Sir John Tillie, a knight who fought alongside Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France. He was born around 1310 and died in battle in 1346 at the age of 36.
Another prominent individual with the Tillie surname was William Tillie, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of London during the 16th century. He was born in 1520 and played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs until his death in 1595.
In the 17th century, the name Tillie was often associated with the village of Tilley in Shropshire, England. It is possible that some families with this surname may have derived their name from this place name.
Another notable figure was Thomas Tillie, a British military officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. He was born in 1775 and rose to the rank of Major General before his death in 1835.
Throughout history, the surname Tillie has also been found in various spellings, such as Tilley, Tilly, and Tillie, reflecting the evolving nature of surname spelling over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tillie 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. Midlothian leads with 23 Tillies recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.34x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | 23 | 19.34x |
| Lanarkshire | 20 | 6.97x |
| Northumberland | 16 | 12.12x |
| Berwickshire | 10 | 93.02x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.80x |
| Peeblesshire | 5 | 119.90x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.23x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.54x |
| Fife | 1 | 1.90x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.57x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.33x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 7.25x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 6.22x |
| Selkirkshire | 1 | 12.45x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.67x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 15 Tillies recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.13x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Govan | 15 | 21.13x |
| Lauder | 10 | 1694.92x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 7 | 14.64x |
| Edinburgh St Marys | 6 | 259.74x |
| Great Ryle | 6 | 30000.00x |
| Middlesbrough | 6 | 52.40x |
| Blantyre | 5 | 167.22x |
| Heriot | 5 | 3846.15x |
| Innerleithen | 5 | 450.45x |
| Westgate | 5 | 61.12x |
| Dalkeith | 4 | 170.21x |
| Cornhill | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Bellingham | 2 | 909.09x |
| Bitton | 1 | 65.79x |
| Brighton | 1 | 3.31x |
| Dysart | 1 | 28.25x |
| Edinburgh St Georges | 1 | 40.49x |
| Elgin | 1 | 37.31x |
| Galashiels | 1 | 33.67x |
| Leeds | 1 | 2.01x |
| Melrose | 1 | 71.94x |
| Northfleet | 1 | 37.45x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.06x |
| St Botolph Aldersgate | 1 | 98.04x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 12.79x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Tillie 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 Tillie 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 Tillie households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Farm Laborer | 4 |
| Scholar | 3 |
| Engine Drivers Son | 2 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Cook Dom (Sevt) | 1 |
| Dom Servt (Hmd) | 1 |
| Engine Driver & Fireman At Mills | 1 |
| Engine Drivers Daur | 1 |
| Engine Drivers Wife | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Foreman Blacksmith | 1 |
| Forester (Wdm) | 1 |
| Glasgow Manufacturer | 1 |
| Grocers Boy | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Parlormaid | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 96 people were recorded with the Tillie surname. That placed it at #20,248 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Tillie a modern rank of #35,582.
A variant spelling of the English surname Tilly derived from the medieval unisex name Thille.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Tillie 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.