UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead on the hill".
In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Wilham surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2006, the modern count was 1, ranked #38,879, down from #30,464 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Buxhall, London parishes and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wilham is 349 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.5%.
1881 census count
22
Ranked #30,464
Modern count
1
2006, ranked #38,879
Peak year
1861
349 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wilham surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wilham surname density by area, 1911 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 | 92 | #18,050 |
| 1861 | historical | 349 | #7,318 |
| 1881 | historical | 22 | #30,464 |
| 1891 | historical | 237 | #13,242 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 134 | #19,131 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Buxhall, London parishes, St Mary Islington and St Giles Camberwell. 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 | Buxhall | Suffolk |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wilham 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 Wilham, 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 Wilham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wilham 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, Wilham 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 Wilham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wilham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Wilham is of English origin and can be traced back to medieval England, likely emerging during the 12th and 13th centuries. This surname appears to be a variant of William, a name derived from the Old High German name "Willahelm," composed of the elements "wil," meaning will or desire, and "helm," meaning protection or helmet. The process of evolution from William to Wilham demonstrates the morphing and regional adaptations of surnames over centuries in England.
Early records suggest that the surname Wilham may have appeared in various forms in different manuscripts and legal documents. One of the earliest recorded examples can be found in the Poll Tax rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, where a "Johannes Willame" is listed. This provides evidence of the surname or its variations being present in medieval England. The Wilham name also appears in parish registers from the late 1500s to the early 1600s.
A notable historical figure bearing the Wilham surname was John Wilham, who was recorded as a landowner in the county of Northamptonshire in the mid-16th century. His contributions to regional agricultural practices were mentioned in local chronicles, highlighting the influence of families with this surname in rural English communities.
Another significant individual was Thomas Wilham (1620-1683), who served as a local magistrate in Surrey. His judicial decisions and community leadership were well-documented in town records, showcasing the presence and civic involvement of the Wilham family during the 17th century.
During the 18th century, a prominent bearer of the Wilham surname was Elizabeth Wilham (1697-1755), a writer and poet known for her contributions to early English literature. Her works often reflected the social and cultural dynamics of her time, earning her recognition in literary circles.
In the late 19th century, Henry Wilham (1844-1912) became notable for his role in the industrial revolution, particularly in the Midlands. As an engineer and inventor, his innovations in machinery had a lasting impact on industrial practices and were recorded in various patent office documents of the era.
Another distinguished person was Margaret Wilham (1863-1940), who was an early advocate for women's rights and involved in the suffrage movement in London. Her activism and speeches were frequently cited in newspapers and suffrage movement archives, highlighting the social contributions of individuals with the Wilham surname.
The evolution of the Wilham surname from its origins in medieval England to various prominent figures across centuries reflects a rich tapestry of historical and social developments. While the name itself may have branched into different variants and spellings, the legacy of those who bore it remains documented through historical records and achievements.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wilham 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 9 Wilhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.61x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 9 | 8.61x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.87x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.79x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 2.11x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.37x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 3.03x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 7.55x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.38x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.85x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingston On Thames in Surrey leads with 6 Wilhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 239.04x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston On Thames | 6 | 239.04x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 21.90x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 28.90x |
| Beckenham | 1 | 104.17x |
| Brotton | 1 | 357.14x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 29.94x |
| Islington London | 1 | 4.81x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 8.39x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 75.19x |
| Oxford St Thomas | 1 | 161.29x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 1 | 185.19x |
| Rocester | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Stratton St Michael | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 1 | 178.57x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 126.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wilham 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 Wilham 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 Wilham households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Servant | 3 |
| Assistant Draper | 1 |
| Butler | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Grocers Apprentice | 1 |
| Groom (D) | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Laundry Maid | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Schoolroom Maid | 1 |
| Shopboy (Gen) | 1 |
| Traveller Comcl | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Wilham surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2006. That gives Wilham a modern rank of #38,879.
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead on the hill".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wilham 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.