Find out how popular the last name Billy is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Billy.

Billy, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Billy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Billy in America

Billy is the 9027th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Billy surname appeared 3,621 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Billy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Billy to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Billy

The surname Billy has its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English bylig, meaning "dwelling" or "homestead." It likely originated as a place name, referring to someone who lived near a particular homestead or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Billie." This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

During the medieval period, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Bille, Billie, and Billey. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in those times, as they were often based on local dialects and the interpretations of scribes.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Bille residing in Oxfordshire, indicating the name's presence in this region. Similarly, a Robert Bille is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, further cementing the name's roots in eastern England.

As the surname spread across the country, it became associated with specific places. For example, the village of Billey in Gloucestershire likely derived its name from the Billy surname. This connection between surnames and place names was common in medieval times.

Notable individuals bearing the Billy surname include:

1. William Billy (c. 1500-1568), an English Protestant reformer and Bishop of Winchester during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Richard Billy (c. 1570-1642), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury during the early Stuart period.
3. Thomas Billy (1654-1723), a renowned English clockmaker whose works are still highly prized by collectors.
4. Robert Billy (1712-1789), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.
5. Jane Billy (1815-1892), a prominent English philanthropist and social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of the poor in London's East End.

Throughout its history, the surname Billy has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the eastern and southern counties. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to be carried forward by families across generations, reflecting the enduring legacy of English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Billy

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Billy.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Billy was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Billy has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Billy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Billy, please contact us.

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