NameCensus.

UK surname

Tilson

Derived from a place name meaning "Tilfa's son," referring to a settlement associated with someone called Tilfa.

In the 1881 census there were 368 people recorded with the Tilson surname, ranking it #8,454 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 634, ranked #8,340, up from #8,454 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Elstead, King's Lynn St Margaret and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Chelmsford and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tilson is 675 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.3%.

1881 census count

368

Ranked #8,454

Modern count

634

2016, ranked #8,340

Peak year

2010

675 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tilson had 368 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,454 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 634 in 2016, ranked #8,340.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 479 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tilson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tilson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tilson 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 251 #8,761
1861 historical 224 #10,882
1881 historical 368 #8,454
1891 historical 340 #10,062
1901 historical 403 #9,442
1911 historical 479 #8,088
1997 modern 633 #7,827
1998 modern 639 #8,006
1999 modern 642 #8,039
2000 modern 640 #8,031
2001 modern 625 #8,028
2002 modern 640 #8,050
2003 modern 642 #7,895
2004 modern 635 #7,972
2005 modern 651 #7,767
2006 modern 652 #7,782
2007 modern 655 #7,815
2008 modern 661 #7,805
2009 modern 667 #7,919
2010 modern 675 #7,995
2011 modern 666 #8,003
2012 modern 646 #8,114
2013 modern 633 #8,376
2014 modern 636 #8,402
2015 modern 625 #8,449
2016 modern 634 #8,340

Geography

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Where Tilsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Elstead, King's Lynn St Margaret, London parishes, All Saints Poplar and Ilkeston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Chelmsford, Northampton, Oldham and Sefton. 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 Elstead Surrey
2 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
3 London parishes London 3
4 All Saints Poplar London (East Districts)
5 Ilkeston Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 011 High Peak
2 Chelmsford 021 Chelmsford
3 Northampton 018 Northampton
4 Oldham 008 Oldham
5 Sefton 009 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tilson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tilson

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tilson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Tilson is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tilson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tilson 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 Tilson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Tilson

The surname Tilson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Tilston" or "Tilston Fearnall" in Cheshire, England. The name may have originated from the Old English words "til" meaning "well" or "spring," and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "farm," suggesting the name referred to a farmstead or settlement near a well or spring.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Tilson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a certain William de Tyluston is listed. This indicates that the name was already established and likely derived from the place name Tilston by that time.

In the 14th century, the Tilson surname appeared in various records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Cheshire in 1327, where a Richard de Tilston is mentioned. The name also appeared in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, with the spelling "Tylson."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Tilson surname was John Tilson, born around 1380 in Tilston, Cheshire. He was a prominent landowner and played a role in local affairs during his lifetime.

Another notable figure was Robert Tilson (1585-1655), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Rochester from 1636 until his death. He wrote several notable works, including "The Lawful Use of Riches" and "The Amended and Enriched Version of the Book of Common Prayer."

In the 17th century, the Tilson surname was also found in the colonies of North America. One of the earliest recorded instances was Thomas Tilson, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 and became a prominent planter and landowner.

During the 18th century, the Tilson name appeared in various records across England, including parish registers and court documents. One notable individual was John Tilson (1720-1782), a British architect and surveyor who worked on several significant architectural projects in London.

Another prominent figure was James Tilson (1745-1833), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Taunton from 1796 to 1806. He was known for his advocacy of parliamentary reform and played a significant role in the political landscape of the time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tilson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tilson 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 65 Tilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.85x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 65 1.85x
Yorkshire 49 1.40x
Derbyshire 32 5.80x
Leicestershire 30 7.68x
Surrey 30 1.75x
Lincolnshire 23 4.08x
Norfolk 22 4.06x
Lancashire 20 0.48x
Staffordshire 15 1.26x
Nottinghamshire 11 2.32x
Warwickshire 11 1.24x
Durham 10 0.95x
Northumberland 9 1.72x
Essex 6 0.86x
Suffolk 6 1.40x
Northamptonshire 5 1.51x
Cheshire 4 0.51x
Kent 3 0.25x
Worcestershire 3 0.65x
Hampshire 2 0.28x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.47x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.45x
Cumberland 1 0.33x
Devon 1 0.14x
Oxfordshire 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ilkeston in Derbyshire leads with 21 Tilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 135.83x.

Place Total Index
Ilkeston 21 135.83x
Poplar London 13 19.56x
Swinton In Rotherham 13 140.85x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 12 73.85x
Normanton 12 114.39x
Shoreditch London 11 7.21x
Lambeth 10 3.26x
Holy Trinity 9 10.72x
Seaton Delaval 9 195.65x
Whitherley 9 1451.61x
Bishopwearmouth 8 8.90x
Camberwell 8 3.56x
Everton 8 6.01x
Great Grimsby 8 22.38x
Melbourne 8 212.20x
South Lynn 8 130.93x
St George In East 8 33.40x
Walsall Foreign 8 13.03x
Kensington London 7 3.58x
Leicester St Margaret 7 7.35x
Elstead 6 731.71x
Merevale 6 2608.70x
Sheepy Magna 6 1200.00x
Tamworth 6 94.34x
Hammersmith London 5 5.76x
Northampton Priory St 5 25.16x
Nottingham St Mary 5 4.07x
St Marylebone London 5 2.66x
Toxteth Park 5 3.53x
Hugglescote 4 69.69x
Lower Bebington 4 86.58x
Mile End New Town 4 83.16x
Rushbrooke 4 2500.00x
Tottenham 4 7.13x
Aston 3 1.23x
Beverley St Martin 3 51.55x
Dewsbury 3 8.38x
Dudley 3 5.37x
Great Bolton 3 5.42x
Hackney London 3 1.52x
Leyton 3 25.06x
Sculcoates 3 5.42x
Tydd St Mary 3 267.86x
Walthamstow 3 11.99x
Burton Joyce 2 246.91x
Church 2 33.90x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.16x
Godalming 2 18.52x
Great Welnetham 2 377.36x
Hoby 2 540.54x
Holbeach 2 31.90x
Islington London 2 0.59x
Long Eaton 2 27.47x
Marske In Guisbrough 2 32.26x
St Luke London 2 3.54x
St Mary Extra 2 34.42x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 1 3.08x
Basford 1 4.57x
Bennington By Boston 1 151.52x
Boston 1 5.85x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.62x
Dawlish 1 18.28x
Gosberton 1 40.00x
Grantham 1 13.62x
Leicester All Sts 1 13.04x
Louth 1 7.75x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 1 38.76x
Polesworth 1 23.70x
Standard Hill 1 88.50x
Sudbury 1 158.73x
Sunderland 1 5.41x
Swaffham 1 22.73x
Twycross 1 227.27x
Upsall In Thirsk 1 666.67x
Uttoxeter 1 16.45x
Wakefield 1 3.73x
Westoe 1 1.68x
Whitehaven 1 6.19x
Whitstable 1 16.98x
Wilford 1 75.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 19
Mary 18
Elizabeth 11
Ann 9
Ellen 8
Hannah 7
Jane 7
Annie 6
Eliza 6
Emma 6
Alice 5
Caroline 5
Louisa 5
Martha 5
Julia 4
Susan 4
Ada 3
Charlotte 3
M.A. 3
Maria 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Christina 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Hariet 2
Harriett 2
Henrietta 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Rosina 2
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Georgenia 1
Grace 1
Harriot 1
Harriott 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Letitia 1
Lettice 1
Lissie 1
Lizzie 1
M. 1
Mabel 1
Matilda 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 31
John 16
Joseph 16
George 12
Thomas 12
Charles 11
Robert 9
James 6
Henry 5
Edward 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Peter 2
Abraham 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
Getham 1
Grederick 1
Harrey 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
J.Thomas 1
Jonathan 1
Mary 1
Michall 1
Oswald 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Sam 1
Stephen 1
T.W. 1

FAQ

Tilson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tilson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 368 people were recorded with the Tilson surname. That placed it at #8,454 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tilson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 634 in 2016. That gives Tilson a modern rank of #8,340.

What does the Tilson surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "Tilfa's son," referring to a settlement associated with someone called Tilfa.

What does the Tilson map show?

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