UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "willow tree hill" or "willow copse," referring to someone who lived near such a place.
In the 1881 census there were 82 people recorded with the Wilber surname, ranking it #21,957 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 78, ranked #33,171, down from #21,957 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wilmslow, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wilber is 129 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.9%.
1881 census count
82
Ranked #21,957
Modern count
78
2016, ranked #33,171
Peak year
1901
129 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wilber surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wilber 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 | 40 | #26,118 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 82 | #21,957 |
| 1891 | historical | 107 | #22,967 |
| 1901 | historical | 129 | #19,735 |
| 1911 | historical | 99 | #22,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 82 | #29,325 |
| 1998 | modern | 81 | #29,849 |
| 1999 | modern | 75 | #30,661 |
| 2000 | modern | 77 | #30,486 |
| 2001 | modern | 74 | #30,600 |
| 2002 | modern | 83 | #30,070 |
| 2003 | modern | 81 | #30,311 |
| 2004 | modern | 83 | #30,352 |
| 2005 | modern | 87 | #29,966 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 81 | #31,408 |
| 2008 | modern | 82 | #31,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 79 | #32,372 |
| 2010 | modern | 77 | #32,927 |
| 2011 | modern | 85 | #32,127 |
| 2012 | modern | 75 | #33,263 |
| 2013 | modern | 79 | #33,142 |
| 2014 | modern | 78 | #33,270 |
| 2015 | modern | 79 | #33,127 |
| 2016 | modern | 78 | #33,171 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wilmslow, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton), Eccles, Spofforth and Alfreton. 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 | Wilmslow | Cheshire |
| 2 | Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 4 | Spofforth | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Alfreton | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wilber 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 Wilber, 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 Wilber surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wilber 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, Wilber 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 Wilber is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wilber, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WILBER is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name Wilburh, which was composed of the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "burh" meaning "fortress" or "protection." This name likely referred to someone with a strong will or determination.
The earliest known recorded instances of the surname WILBER can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries in various regions of England, such as Essex, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Wilbur, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, including Wilbur, Wilbore, and Wilbeer, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that era. The name was also associated with several place names, such as Wilburgham in Cambridgeshire and Wilbrahams in Suffolk, suggesting that some bearers of the name may have originated from or been associated with these locations.
Notable individuals with the surname WILBER include John Wilbur (c. 1550-1616), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Gloucester. Another prominent figure was Samuel Wilbur (1679-1741), a Quaker minister and author from Rhode Island, who played a significant role in the early history of the Quaker movement in America.
In the 19th century, Wilber Wilbur (1819-1890) was a prominent American inventor and manufacturer, best known for his contributions to the development of the sewing machine. Additionally, Charles Wilber (1834-1922) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, distinguishing himself in several battles and receiving the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
One of the most renowned individuals with the surname WILBER was Ray Wilbur (1875-1949), an American politician and academic who served as the 31st United States Secretary of the Interior under President Calvin Coolidge from 1924 to 1929.
While the surname WILBER is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wilber 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. Yorkshire leads with 25 Wilbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.15x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 25 | 3.15x |
| Derbyshire | 15 | 11.98x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.50x |
| Cheshire | 8 | 4.53x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.05x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 4.51x |
| Bedfordshire | 3 | 7.24x |
| Angus | 2 | 2.70x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.21x |
| Anglesey | 1 | 7.05x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.10x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.61x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alfreton in Derbyshire leads with 8 Wilbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 210.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alfreton | 8 | 210.53x |
| Newington | 8 | 27.07x |
| Hackney London | 7 | 15.61x |
| Stretton En Le Field | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Calverley Cum Farsley | 6 | 266.67x |
| Leeds | 6 | 13.40x |
| Fulshaw | 5 | 1515.15x |
| Kirk Deighton | 5 | 5000.00x |
| Islington London | 4 | 5.16x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 4 | 18.49x |
| Aspley Guise | 3 | 750.00x |
| Birkenhead | 3 | 21.31x |
| Bradford | 2 | 10.42x |
| Dundee | 2 | 7.23x |
| Knaresborough | 2 | 161.29x |
| Wetherby | 2 | 384.62x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 31.15x |
| Falsgrave | 1 | 85.47x |
| Hanwell | 1 | 70.42x |
| Llandysilio | 1 | 227.27x |
| Skelton In Guisbrough | 1 | 46.73x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 9.70x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 3.11x |
| West Derby | 1 | 3.60x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wilber 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 Wilber 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 Wilber households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Sch | 4 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Infant | 2 |
| 2nd Mate (MS) | 1 |
| Agric Labourer | 1 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Bank Clerk | 1 |
| Beer House Keeper | 1 |
| Beerhouse Keeper | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carpenter Wife | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Fishmonger | 1 |
| Gas Fitter | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Husband From Home | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer Brickyard | 1 |
| Labourer (Ag) | 1 |
| Mantle Maker | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher In Elementary School | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
| Servant Boy | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
| Straw Plaitter | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Wife Of Thomas W. 2nd Mate At Sea | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 82 people were recorded with the Wilber surname. That placed it at #21,957 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 78 in 2016. That gives Wilber a modern rank of #33,171.
Derived from a place name meaning "willow tree hill" or "willow copse," referring to someone who lived near such a place.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wilber 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.