UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "well" or "spring," or from a nickname meaning "wild" or "untamed."
In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Wilt surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #27,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to South Stoneham, London parishes and Ellingham (incl. Roe Inclosure). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wilt is 105 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 83.0%.
1881 census count
47
Ranked #27,019
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
105 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wilt surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wilt 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 47 | #27,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 72 | #25,642 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around South Stoneham, London parishes, Ellingham (incl. Roe Inclosure), St Matthew Bethnal Green and Cliffe Pypard, Broadhinton. 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 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Ellingham (incl. Roe Inclosure) | Hampshire |
| 4 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Cliffe Pypard, Broadhinton | Wiltshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wilt 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 Wilt, 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 Wilt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wilt 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, Wilt 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 Wilt is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wilt, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WILT is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "wilte", meaning "to wilt or droop". The name was likely initially used as a nickname for someone with a drooping or wilted appearance or demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname WILT appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1199, where a certain Reginald Wilt is mentioned. The name is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, referencing a John Wilt.
During the medieval period, the WILT surname was primarily concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire in southern England. Variations in spelling included Wilte, Wylte, and Wyltt.
In the 16th century, the WILT surname can be found in the records of the Parish of St. Mary's in Bisley, Gloucestershire. Notable individuals with this surname from that period include John Wilt (born around 1520) and his son, William Wilt (born circa 1550).
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the WILT surname, suggesting that the name emerged later in the 12th or 13th centuries.
One notable figure with the WILT surname was Sir Thomas Wilt (1585-1662), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Tamworth during the reign of King Charles I.
Another historical figure was Captain John Wilt (1628-1701), an English sailor who served in the Royal Navy and was known for his exploits during the Second Anglo-Dutch War.
In the 18th century, the WILT surname can be found in the records of the Parish of St. Michael's in Baddesley Ensor, Warwickshire. A prominent individual from this period was Reverend William Wilt (1715-1792), a clergyman of the Church of England who served as the Rector of Baddesley Ensor.
During the 19th century, the WILT surname spread to other parts of England, as well as to other English-speaking countries through immigration. One notable individual from this period was Charles Wilt (1836-1914), a British businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry.
Another prominent figure was Sir Henry Wilt (1857-1923), a British engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early aviation and held several patents for aircraft designs.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wilt 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. Hampshire leads with 16 Wilts recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.40x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 16 | 17.40x |
| Surrey | 14 | 6.40x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.67x |
| Cambridgeshire | 2 | 7.04x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.14x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Stoneham in Hampshire leads with 13 Wilts recorded in 1881 and an index of 650.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| South Stoneham | 13 | 650.00x |
| Newington | 6 | 36.19x |
| Bethnal Green London | 4 | 20.52x |
| Clapham | 4 | 71.30x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 10.47x |
| Islington London | 3 | 6.90x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 12.12x |
| St Andrewthe Less | 2 | 61.54x |
| Willesden | 2 | 47.28x |
| Eling | 1 | 107.53x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 41.49x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 14.12x |
| Preston | 1 | 75.76x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 18.05x |
| St Helens | 1 | 149.25x |
| Westbury On Trym | 1 | 33.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wilt 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 Wilt 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 Wilt households.
FAQ
In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Wilt surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Wilt a modern rank of #37,829.
Derived from a place name meaning "well" or "spring," or from a nickname meaning "wild" or "untamed."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wilt 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.