Bilson
A toponymic surname originating from a place name derived from an old English word meaning "hill settlement".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Bilson. That puts it at #58,182 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bilson surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#58,182
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
349
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 349 bearers of the surname Bilson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 58182nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bilson, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bilson
The surname Bilson has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "bill" or "bild," meaning battle or sword, and "son," meaning son. This suggests that the name may have originated as a nickname for someone who was a skilled warrior or swordsman.
One of the earliest references to the name Bilson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where a person named Robert Bilson is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were records of landowners and their holdings, indicating that the Bilson family had established itself as landowners during that time.
In the 14th century, the Bilson surname was prominent in the county of Staffordshire, with records showing various members of the family holding positions of importance. Thomas Bilson, born around 1536, was a notable figure who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1597 until his death in 1616.
The name Bilson has also been associated with several place names, such as Bilston, a town in the West Midlands region of England. This town's name is believed to have derived from the same Old English roots as the surname Bilson, suggesting a connection between the surname and the place name.
Another notable individual with the surname Bilson was John Bilson, born in 1856, who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in the city of Leicester. He was instrumental in the establishment of several charitable institutions in the area and was awarded the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contributions.
In the literary world, Bruce Bilson, born in 1928, was a renowned American novelist and screenwriter. His works included the novel "Time and Again" and the screenplay for the film "Looker," both of which received critical acclaim.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Bilson surname in the United States can be traced back to William Bilson, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. This suggests that the name had already spread from its English origins to the American colonies by the 17th century.
Throughout history, the surname Bilson has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, businessmen, writers, and pioneers. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may have evolved over time, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich linguistic heritage of Old English.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bilson
Among Census respondents with the surname Bilson, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Bilson bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bilson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.8%
- Black or African American6.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bilson surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #58,182 | #58,182 | 0.0% |
| Count | 349 | 349 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bilson bearers went from 349 to 349 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #58,182 to #58,182.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bilson
FAQ
Bilson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bilson?
The surname Bilson holds position #58,182 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bilson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bilson, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (6.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.