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

Liles, 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 Liles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Liles in America

Liles is the 3463rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Liles surname appeared 10,317 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Liles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Liles 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 Liles

The surname Liles is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'leah,' which referred to a woodland clearing or meadow. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near or in such an area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Liles can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'de Liles.' This entry indicates that the name was already established in England during the Norman Conquest, likely referring to a family or individual residing in a particular location.

During the 13th century, variations of the name, such as 'de Lyly' and 'de Lylly,' emerged in various historical records, reflecting the evolution of spelling conventions over time. These variations often incorporated place names or descriptive elements associated with the family's origin or residence.

In the 14th century, John Liles, a prominent merchant from Bristol, was documented as owning several properties and engaging in international trade. His success and influence likely contributed to the further spread and recognition of the surname.

Sir John Liles, born in 1562 and died in 1638, was a renowned English soldier and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. His military exploits and political involvement brought notable distinction to the Liles name.

Another noteworthy figure was William Liles, a 17th-century English author and poet born in 1617. His literary works, including poems and philosophical treatises, gained recognition during his lifetime and contributed to the cultural legacy associated with the surname.

In the 18th century, the name Liles appeared in various parish records throughout England, particularly in counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset. This suggests the surname had established strongholds in certain regions.

One notable individual from this period was Mary Liles, born in 1725, who became a prominent figure in the early days of the American colonies. Her involvement in the revolutionary movement and advocacy for women's rights left a lasting impact on the nation's history.

Throughout the centuries, the Liles surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, each contributing to its rich tapestry of history and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Liles

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

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 Liles 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 Liles 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 Liles was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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