This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Bilston family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Bilston Family History

Bilston Surname Meaning

See Bilsdon and Billson (1). Alternatively a variant of Billson (2) with an intrusive -t-.

In SW England perhaps from Bilsdon in Holcombe Burnell (Devon). The place-name is from the Old English male given name Bil(l) in the genitive case with -es + denu ‘valley’.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Bilston family from?

You can see how Bilston families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Bilston family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Bilston families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 13 Bilston families living in Staffordshire. This was about 25% of all the recorded Bilston's in United Kingdom. Staffordshire had the highest population of Bilston families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Bilston surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Bilston ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Bilston. 100% of Bilston women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Bilston | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Bilston family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Bilston. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Bilston census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Bilston

Passenger Lists

There are 139 immigration records available for the last name Bilston. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Bilston immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 57 military records available for the last name Bilston. For the veterans among your Bilston ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Bilston military records

You've only scratched the surface of Bilston family history

Discover More

What is the average Bilston lifespan?

Average Bilston life expectancy in 1980 was 76 years. This was higher than the general public life expectancy which was 71.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Bilston

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Bilston ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Bilston family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial