NameCensus.

UK surname

Wyllie

A Scottish surname derived from the nickname Wilie, a diminutive of William.

In the 1881 census there were 2,115 people recorded with the Wyllie surname, ranking it #2,089 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,066, ranked #3,129, down from #2,089 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Paisley West, Mearnskirk and South Kirkhill and Mauchline Rural.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wyllie is 2,340 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.3%.

1881 census count

2,115

Ranked #2,089

Modern count

2,066

2016, ranked #3,129

Peak year

1901

2,340 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wyllie had 2,115 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,089 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,066 in 2016, ranked #3,129.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,340 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Wyllie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wyllie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wyllie 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 1,420 #2,027
1861 historical 1,315 #2,171
1881 historical 2,115 #2,089
1891 historical 2,300 #2,037
1901 historical 2,340 #2,317
1911 historical 380 #9,655
1997 modern 1,919 #3,150
1998 modern 2,027 #3,127
1999 modern 2,017 #3,162
2000 modern 1,999 #3,167
2001 modern 1,941 #3,183
2002 modern 1,985 #3,195
2003 modern 1,966 #3,162
2004 modern 1,989 #3,131
2005 modern 1,949 #3,158
2006 modern 1,975 #3,126
2007 modern 1,997 #3,133
2008 modern 2,007 #3,143
2009 modern 2,041 #3,158
2010 modern 2,029 #3,240
2011 modern 1,971 #3,272
2012 modern 1,965 #3,228
2013 modern 2,029 #3,201
2014 modern 2,039 #3,216
2015 modern 2,043 #3,170
2016 modern 2,066 #3,129

Geography

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Where Wyllies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Ardrossan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Paisley West, Mearnskirk and South Kirkhill, Mauchline Rural, Morningside and Belmont. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Kilmarnock Ayr
5 Ardrossan Ayr

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Paisley West Renfrewshire
2 Mearnskirk and South Kirkhill East Renfrewshire
3 Mauchline Rural East Ayrshire
4 Morningside City of Edinburgh
5 Belmont South Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wyllie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wyllie

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wyllie, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Wyllie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Wyllie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Wyllie 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

Wyllie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wyllie falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wyllie

The surname Wyllie finds its origins in Scotland, a land rich with a diverse history interwoven with Norse, Gaelic, and Pictish influences. Its earliest roots can be traced back to the Lowlands, particularly in areas such as Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, and Lanarkshire. The name Wyllie is generally considered to derive from the Old English word wil, which means "will" or "desire." It might also relate to the Old Germanic name Willahelm, composed of the elements willa (will or desire) and helm (helmet or protection).

Historical records indicate different spellings and variations of the surname over the centuries. Early forms such as Wily and Willey appear in various manuscripts. The first recorded instance of the surname Wyllie dates back to the early 14th century. One of the earliest references is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a person named Alexander Wilye is noted as swearing allegiance to Edward I of England, a significant historical document reflecting the period of Scottish submission to English rule.

Through the 15th and 16th centuries, the surname Wyllie or its variants appeared in several charters and legal documents. An example is John Wyllye, recorded in 1456, who appeared as a witness in a land transaction in Ayrshire. This period of Scottish history was marked by skirmishes and evolving boundaries, which contributed to the spread and variations of the surname.

One notable figure with the surname was Peter Wyllie (1530-1597), a merchant from Dumfriesshire, who played a significant role in the local trade of wool and other textiles. The Wyllie family name continued to grow in prominence, and another notable figure was Rev. William Wyllie (1679-1752), a respected clergyman in the Church of Scotland known for his sermons and contributions to theological discourse.

In the 19th century, the surname became more recognizable globally, with several individuals bearing the name gaining prominence. Andrew Wyllie (1838-1900) was a noted Scottish botanist who made substantial contributions to the understanding of plant physiology. Additionally, William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931), an English painter of maritime themes, left a lasting legacy with his evocative and historically rich depictions of naval scenes.

The surname Wyllie carries a historical depth that reflects the journeys and contributions of individuals over centuries. The stories of these people, from early Scottish records to notable figures in various fields, weave a narrative of will and perseverance deeply embedded in this distinguished surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wyllie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wyllie 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. Ayrshire leads with 705 Wyllies recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.05x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 705 46.05x
Lanarkshire 359 5.43x
Angus 224 11.82x
Midlothian 103 3.76x
Middlesex 78 0.38x
Renfrewshire 78 4.92x
Kincardineshire 65 26.09x
Fife 58 4.79x
Aberdeenshire 54 2.85x
Lancashire 34 0.14x
Roxburghshire 34 9.18x
Dumfriesshire 31 6.86x
West Lothian 28 9.09x
Kent 19 0.27x
Wigtownshire 19 7.00x
East Lothian 17 6.27x
Sussex 14 0.41x
Peeblesshire 13 13.51x
Selkirkshire 13 7.02x
Argyllshire 12 2.11x
Dunbartonshire 11 2.00x
Kirkcudbrightshire 11 3.71x
Stirlingshire 11 1.46x
Devon 10 0.23x
Oxfordshire 8 0.63x
Yorkshire 8 0.04x
Cheshire 7 0.16x
Perthshire 7 0.76x
Caithness 6 2.14x
Durham 6 0.10x
Gloucestershire 5 0.12x
Kinross-shire 5 9.67x
Somerset 5 0.15x
Surrey 5 0.05x
Buteshire 4 3.23x
Cumberland 4 0.23x
Shetland 4 1.91x
Warwickshire 4 0.08x
Clackmannanshire 3 1.78x
Staffordshire 3 0.04x
Hertfordshire 2 0.14x
Westmorland 2 0.44x
Berwickshire 1 0.40x
Brecknockshire 1 0.24x
Cornwall 1 0.04x
Inverness-shire 1 0.16x
Orkney 1 0.44x
Royal Navy 1 0.41x
Suffolk 1 0.04x
Sutherland 1 0.64x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 161 Wyllies recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.84x.

Place Total Index
Govan 161 9.84x
Kilmarnock 134 73.54x
Barony 102 6.09x
Stewarton 46 151.87x
Ardrossan 45 84.92x
Maybole 44 94.40x
Dundee 43 6.08x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 39 3.54x
Glasgow 38 3.23x
Montrose 35 30.47x
Kirkmichael 34 243.55x
Newton On Ayr 34 74.15x
Dundonald 33 58.46x
Forfar 32 31.18x
Aberdeen Old Machar 28 7.08x
Ayr 28 38.75x
Irvine 27 63.50x
St Vigeans 25 24.44x
East Greenock 24 16.03x
Ochiltree 21 199.43x
Stevenston 21 52.62x
Mauchline 20 113.64x
Dunnichen 19 190.19x
Brechin 18 24.17x
Kensington London 18 1.58x
Old Cumnock 18 52.80x
West Greenock 18 6.33x
Oxnam 16 334.73x
Boness 15 35.32x
Dysart 15 18.39x
North Leith 15 11.83x
Bervie 14 94.85x
Riccarton 14 60.63x
Coylton 13 59.85x
Dunnottar 13 74.16x
Kinghorn 13 50.56x
Melrose 13 27.91x
Arbroath 12 19.11x
Currie 12 71.51x
Fetteresso 12 30.74x
New Monkland 12 6.14x
New Cumnock 11 41.43x
Old Monkland 11 4.19x
South Leith 11 3.57x
Abbey 10 4.13x
Glenbervie 10 146.63x
Kilbirnie 10 27.20x
Kilmaurs 10 38.39x
Kilwinning 10 20.23x
Kirkcaldy 10 16.65x
Langholm 10 30.79x
Logie Pert 10 142.86x
Peebles 10 35.16x
West Kilbride 10 68.54x
Bothwell 9 5.02x
Dalmellington 9 19.99x
Dalry 9 12.49x
Douglas 9 47.19x
Fenwick 9 111.11x
Islington London 9 0.45x
Leslie 9 29.35x
Linlithgow 9 22.78x
Maxton 9 280.37x
Newhills 9 23.20x
Row 9 12.66x
Annan 8 20.61x
Ardrossan West 8 588.24x
Auckinleck 8 16.88x
Blantyre 8 11.62x
Bow London 8 3.07x
Cloughton 8 209.42x
Dalrymple 8 83.42x
Dreghorn 8 28.87x
Galston 8 19.11x
Kirkinner 8 71.30x
Largs 8 22.18x
Lewisham 8 2.15x
Paisley High Church 8 6.34x
Tarbolton 8 31.76x
Troqueer 8 20.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Annie 5
Catherine 5
Emily 4
Jane 4
Sarah 4
Agnes 3
Ann 3
Eliza 3
Elizabeth 3
Janet 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Minnie 3
Agness 2
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Constance 2
Edith 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Helen 2
Jamima 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Phillis 2
Alma 1
Anne 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Christian 1
Dora 1
Eliz. 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Gladys 1
Jenny 1
Julia 1
Kattie 1
Laura 1
Lilias 1
Lillias 1
Lilly 1
Margery 1
Margret 1
Marian 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 9
James 8
Charles 7
Robert 5
George 4
Joseph 4
Thomas 4
Alexander 3
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Hugh 2
Albert 1
Alexer. 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Christopher 1
Colin 1
David 1
Dellor 1
Duncan 1
E. 1
Eaton 1
Edmund 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Harvey 1
Howart 1
Hubert 1
Lionel.M. 1
Mathew 1
Mungall 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Robt.C. 1
Stewart 1
Wilson 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wyllie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wyllie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,115 people were recorded with the Wyllie surname. That placed it at #2,089 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wyllie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,066 in 2016. That gives Wyllie a modern rank of #3,129.

What does the Wyllie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the nickname Wilie, a diminutive of William.

What does the Wyllie map show?

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