NameCensus.

UK surname

Yuill

A surname of Scottish origin possibly derived from a place name or Scottish Gaelic word.

In the 1881 census there were 646 people recorded with the Yuill surname, ranking it #5,519 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,069, ranked #5,471, up from #5,519 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bothwell, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lanark South, IZ01 and Douglas, Coalburn and Rigside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yuill is 1,087 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.5%.

1881 census count

646

Ranked #5,519

Modern count

1,069

2016, ranked #5,471

Peak year

2000

1,087 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Yuill had 646 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,519 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,069 in 2016, ranked #5,471.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 826 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Yuill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yuill surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yuill 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 339 #6,922
1861 historical 457 #5,681
1881 historical 646 #5,519
1891 historical 747 #5,333
1901 historical 826 #5,476
1911 historical 159 #17,219
1997 modern 1,013 #5,442
1998 modern 1,015 #5,614
1999 modern 1,063 #5,424
2000 modern 1,087 #5,315
2001 modern 1,035 #5,437
2002 modern 1,073 #5,382
2003 modern 1,083 #5,250
2004 modern 1,049 #5,391
2005 modern 1,047 #5,347
2006 modern 1,061 #5,291
2007 modern 1,056 #5,360
2008 modern 1,068 #5,342
2009 modern 1,076 #5,422
2010 modern 1,081 #5,513
2011 modern 1,055 #5,564
2012 modern 1,032 #5,594
2013 modern 1,048 #5,613
2014 modern 1,082 #5,487
2015 modern 1,062 #5,527
2016 modern 1,069 #5,471

Geography

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Where Yuills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bothwell, Govan Combination, London parishes, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lanark South, IZ01, Douglas, Coalburn and Rigside, Hazelbank and Kirkfieldbank and Maldon. 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 Bothwell Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 London parishes London 3
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lanark South South Lanarkshire
2 IZ01 East Lothian
3 Douglas, Coalburn and Rigside South Lanarkshire
4 Hazelbank and Kirkfieldbank South Lanarkshire
5 Maldon 004 Maldon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yuill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yuill

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Yuill, 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 Yuill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Yuill 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, Yuill 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

Yuill is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Yuill falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Yuill

The surname Yuill originates from Scotland and is deeply rooted in the regions of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. The name dates back to the medieval period, with some of the earliest recorded instances found in the 13th and 14th centuries. The name is likely derived from the Old English word "geoh" or "iule," meaning Yule, which refers to the time of Christmas and could indicate a person who was born or baptized during this time of year.

Historical records show that the Yuill name appears in several ancient manuscripts. One notable early record includes Gilbert de Yhuel, a witness to an agreement in Ayrshire in 1263. Another early reference can be found in the 1376 Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, where the name William Yeule is recorded. These documents underscore the longstanding presence of the name in Scottish history.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name is John Yuill, who was documented in 1423 as a burgess of Glasgow. The evolution of the surname can be observed in various spellings, including Yulle and Yhuel, which appear in old records before standardization in spelling became common.

A significant place associated with the Yuill name is the village of Yule in Lanarkshire, which may have influenced the surname's regional concentration. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Scotland and eventually to other countries through migration.

Several notable personalities with the surname Yuill have left their mark in history. James Yuill (1726-1806) was a prominent figure in Glasgow, known for his contributions to the local economy and society. Another notable individual is Thomas Yuill (1822-1896), who was a respected member of the Scottish legal community. Alexander Yuill (1845-1910), a politician from Ayrshire, played a significant role in local governance during his tenure.

Yet another distinguished bearers include John Reid Yuill (1873-1938), a celebrated engineer whose innovations significantly impacted the field of mechanical engineering, specifically in the development of steam engines. Finally, Edward Yuill (1881-1965) gained recognition as an author and historian, contributing valuable works on Scottish heritage and culture.

The surname Yuill encapsulates a rich historical tapestry, reflecting significant contributions to various fields and the longstanding presence of the name in Scottish culture and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Yuill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Yuill 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. Lanarkshire leads with 398 Yuills recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.87x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 398 19.87x
Renfrewshire 69 14.37x
Stirlingshire 48 21.01x
Middlesex 44 0.71x
Buteshire 14 37.30x
Dunbartonshire 12 7.21x
Surrey 10 0.33x
Midlothian 9 1.08x
Durham 8 0.43x
Angus 7 1.22x
Perthshire 5 1.80x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.35x
Argyllshire 2 1.16x
West Lothian 2 2.14x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.73x
Fife 1 0.27x
Hampshire 1 0.08x
Inverness-shire 1 0.54x
Wigtownshire 1 1.22x

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 80 Yuills recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.15x.

Place Total Index
Govan 80 16.15x
Barony 66 13.02x
Lesmahagow 55 259.56x
Bothwell 39 71.78x
Glasgow 33 9.28x
Cambusnethan 25 56.19x
Paisley Middle Church 18 64.40x
Hamilton 16 28.64x
Balfron 15 531.91x
Eastwood 15 50.74x
Lanark 15 93.05x
Rutherglen 14 47.64x
St Luke London 11 11.07x
Campsie 10 79.74x
Cathcart 10 38.51x
Cumbrae 9 227.85x
East Kilbride 9 104.90x
Old Monkland 9 11.32x
Renfrew 9 56.78x
Avondale 8 68.32x
Hackney London 8 2.30x
Stranton 8 12.89x
Camberwell 7 1.77x
Dalziel 7 32.48x
Dunipace 7 175.00x
Kirriemuir 7 49.44x
Newton 7 250.90x
Acton 6 16.52x
Cadder 6 40.54x
Drymen 6 196.08x
Fintry 6 681.82x
New Kilpatrick 6 37.90x
Shoreditch London 6 2.23x
Kincardine 5 174.83x
Maryhill 5 12.75x
Wandell Lamington 5 746.27x
West Greenock 5 5.80x
Hornsey 4 5.11x
Kilmalcolm 4 69.57x
Kirkintilloch 4 17.69x
Paisley High Church 4 10.47x
Abbey 3 4.10x
Islington London 3 0.50x
Killearn 3 125.00x
Rothesay 3 16.50x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 2.41x
St Pancras London 3 0.60x
Blantyre 2 9.59x
Dunoon Kilmun 2 14.87x
Hammersmith London 2 1.31x
Kingarth 2 74.07x
Whitburn 2 14.84x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 0.83x
Cardross 1 5.00x
Carluke 1 5.50x
Culter 1 81.97x
Durrisdeer 1 42.55x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.30x
Gorbals 1 8.41x
Inch 1 12.47x
Kingussie Insh 1 23.58x
Longstock 1 108.70x
Neilston 1 4.15x
New Deer 1 9.62x
Row 1 4.64x
South Leith 1 1.07x
St Marylebone London 1 0.30x
Stirling 1 3.47x
Torryburn 1 63.29x
Wiston Robertson 1 83.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 4
Mary 4
Jane 3
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Margret 2
Matilda 2
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Belton 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizb.Jane 1
Ellen 1
Lousa 1
Margaret 1
Maude 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 8
John 4
Fredk. 2
Robt. 2
Thomas 2
Alexdr. 1
Alexr. 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
Horace 1
Jame 1
Jas. 1
Robert 1
William 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Yuill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Yuill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 646 people were recorded with the Yuill surname. That placed it at #5,519 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Yuill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,069 in 2016. That gives Yuill a modern rank of #5,471.

What does the Yuill surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin possibly derived from a place name or Scottish Gaelic word.

What does the Yuill map show?

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