Kilner
An English surname derived from the medieval occupation of kiln worker or lime burner.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Kilner. That puts it at #50,196 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kilner 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
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#50,196
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
417
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 417 bearers of the surname Kilner in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 50196th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kilner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kilner
The surname Kilner has its origins in England, tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English word "cylene," which means a kiln or an oven, and the suffix "-er," indicating an occupation or a person associated with a particular trade or activity.
This surname likely originated as a descriptive name for individuals who worked with kilns, such as potters, brick makers, or lime burners. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century onwards, with spellings like Kylner, Kilner, and Kylnere.
In the famous Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no direct mentions of the surname Kilner. However, the book does contain references to individuals with occupational names related to kilns or ovens, indicating the existence of such professions during that time.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Kilner surname was John Kilner, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire in 1327. Another early mention is found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, from 1379, where a Thomas Kilner is listed.
The surname Kilner has been associated with various locations in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire, where the name seems to have originated and gained prominence.
Notable individuals with the surname Kilner throughout history include:
1. John Kilner (1758-1838), an English potter and entrepreneur from Wakefield, Yorkshire, who founded the Kilner Brothers glassworks and is credited with patenting the iconic Kilner jar in 1842.
2. Thomas Kilner (1776-1834), an English mathematician and clergyman from Yorkshire, known for his work on the theory of algebraic equations.
3. William Kilner (1846-1924), a British politician and industrialist from Yorkshire, who served as a Member of Parliament and was involved in the glass and pottery industries.
4. Dorothy Kilner (1755-1832), an English writer and educator from Yorkshire, known for her literary works and her contributions to the education of women.
5. William Kilner (1690-1765), an English clergyman and theologian from Derbyshire, who published several religious works and sermons during his lifetime.
While the Kilner surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration, with notable bearers of the name found in various countries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kilner
Among Census respondents with the surname Kilner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Kilner 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 Kilner surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kilner 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 | #50,196 | #50,196 | 0.0% |
| Count | 417 | 417 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kilner bearers went from 417 to 417 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #50,196 to #50,196.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kilner
FAQ
Kilner surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kilner?
The surname Kilner holds position #50,196 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kilner surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kilner, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%). 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.