NameCensus.

UK surname

Greenhill

A locational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a green hill.

In the 1881 census there were 1,294 people recorded with the Greenhill surname, ranking it #3,167 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,716, ranked #3,637, down from #3,167 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abernethy, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Letham and Glamis, Wiltshire and Forfar Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Greenhill is 1,830 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.6%.

1881 census count

1,294

Ranked #3,167

Modern count

1,716

2016, ranked #3,637

Peak year

2000

1,830 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Greenhill had 1,294 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,167 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,716 in 2016, ranked #3,637.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,633 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Greenhill surname distribution map

The map shows where the Greenhill surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Greenhill surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Greenhill over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 804 #3,332
1861 historical 830 #3,320
1881 historical 1,294 #3,167
1891 historical 1,419 #3,072
1901 historical 1,633 #3,163
1911 historical 1,488 #3,241
1997 modern 1,766 #3,385
1998 modern 1,817 #3,423
1999 modern 1,793 #3,489
2000 modern 1,830 #3,414
2001 modern 1,760 #3,461
2002 modern 1,794 #3,467
2003 modern 1,752 #3,482
2004 modern 1,714 #3,556
2005 modern 1,689 #3,559
2006 modern 1,683 #3,576
2007 modern 1,685 #3,600
2008 modern 1,692 #3,612
2009 modern 1,708 #3,652
2010 modern 1,746 #3,656
2011 modern 1,751 #3,606
2012 modern 1,703 #3,641
2013 modern 1,735 #3,638
2014 modern 1,746 #3,632
2015 modern 1,717 #3,647
2016 modern 1,716 #3,637

Geography

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Where Greenhills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abernethy, London parishes, Edinburgh and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Letham and Glamis, Wiltshire, Forfar Central, Forfar East and Newtongrange. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Abernethy Perth
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Letham and Glamis Angus
2 Wiltshire 004 Wiltshire
3 Forfar Central Angus
4 Forfar East Angus
5 Newtongrange Midlothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Greenhill

These lists show first names that appear often with the Greenhill surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Greenhill

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Greenhill, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Greenhill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Greenhill household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Greenhill is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Greenhill is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Greenhill falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Greenhill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Greenhill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Greenhill

The surname GREENHILL is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is a locational name, derived from the Old English words 'grene' meaning green and 'hyll' meaning hill, referring to a person who resided near or hailed from a verdant hill or elevated ground.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as 'de Grenehull'. This suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive term to identify individuals based on their place of residence.

During the 13th century, the name was also documented in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire as 'Grenehull', indicating its presence in various regions of England. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, GREENHILL, reflecting the standardization of English surnames.

Notable historical figures bearing the GREENHILL surname include Sir Richard GREENHILL (1591-1677), an English diplomat and politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. Another prominent individual was Thomas GREENHILL (1693-1771), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer, best known for his contributions to the study of calculus and celestial mechanics.

In the literary realm, John GREENHILL (1649-1676) was an English poet and satirist, renowned for his biting wit and criticism of contemporary society. His works, such as "The Bitter Pill" and "The Sarcastic Scourge," offered incisive commentary on the political and social climate of his era.

The GREENHILL name also appears in various genealogical records and historical accounts throughout the centuries. For instance, William GREENHILL (1585-1677) was a celebrated English Puritan clergyman and author, known for his influential sermons and writings on religious matters.

Another notable figure was Ralph GREENHILL (1702-1782), a British architect and surveyor who contributed significantly to the development of the Georgian architectural style in England. His works included the design of several grand estates and country houses, showcasing his expertise in classical and neoclassical architectural forms.

While the GREENHILL surname originated in England, it has since been carried across the globe by generations of emigrants, contributing to the diversity of cultures and communities worldwide. The name's enduring presence serves as a testament to its rich historical heritage and the remarkable journeys of those who have borne it through the ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Greenhill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Greenhill surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 249 Greenhills recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.97x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 249 1.97x
Warwickshire 105 3.30x
Essex 87 3.49x
Worcestershire 87 5.28x
Midlothian 70 4.14x
Wiltshire 70 6.27x
Surrey 64 1.04x
Kent 50 1.16x
Lanarkshire 48 1.18x
Perthshire 45 7.94x
Staffordshire 43 1.01x
Leicestershire 41 2.93x
Somerset 38 1.87x
Hertfordshire 34 3.91x
Angus 32 2.74x
Fife 32 4.28x
Yorkshire 27 0.22x
Lancashire 26 0.17x
Devon 18 0.69x
Durham 17 0.45x
Sussex 17 0.80x
Cambridgeshire 16 2.00x
Gloucestershire 13 0.53x
Bedfordshire 7 1.07x
Norfolk 7 0.36x
Stirlingshire 7 1.50x
Glamorgan 6 0.27x
Hampshire 6 0.23x
Northamptonshire 6 0.51x
Clackmannanshire 5 4.80x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.34x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.39x
Kinross-shire 3 9.40x
Northumberland 3 0.16x
Derbyshire 2 0.10x
Selkirkshire 2 1.75x
Berkshire 1 0.11x
Oxfordshire 1 0.13x
Renfrewshire 1 0.10x
Suffolk 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tottenham in Middlesex leads with 41 Greenhills recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.39x.

Place Total Index
Tottenham 41 20.39x
Aston 40 4.56x
Islington London 32 2.62x
North Bradley 32 392.64x
Leicester St Margaret 31 9.08x
St Pancras London 31 3.05x
Abernethy 28 378.38x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 26 3.82x
Birmingham 24 2.26x
Poplar London 24 10.07x
Great Chishall 21 1179.78x
Barony 20 1.94x
Inveresk 19 41.50x
South Leith 18 9.46x
Elmdon 16 603.77x
Lambeth 15 1.36x
Glasgow 14 1.93x
Hemel Hempstead 14 35.71x
Little Chishall 14 2500.00x
Harrow On The Hill 13 51.55x
Kensington London 12 1.71x
Oddingley 12 1395.35x
Chopwell 11 157.59x
Himbleton 11 555.56x
St Anne Soho London 11 15.26x
St Marylebone London 11 1.63x
Ware 11 44.11x
Deptford St Paul 10 3.01x
Holbeck 10 12.07x
Plumstead 10 6.97x
West Bromwich 10 4.10x
Cranham 9 500.00x
Dundee 9 2.06x
Hackney London 9 1.27x
Alcester 8 76.19x
Beath 8 33.88x
Clerkenwell London 8 2.69x
Elton 8 15.46x
Kingswinford 8 5.17x
Leicester St Leonard 8 60.38x
Redditch 8 23.94x
Rowde 8 155.34x
Shipston On Stour 8 106.67x
Stoke Damerel 8 4.35x
Walcot 8 7.39x
Willenhall 8 10.02x
Bawdrip 7 411.76x
Calne 7 30.46x
Cheltenham 7 3.66x
Croydon 7 2.05x
Garsdon 7 897.44x
Govan 7 0.69x
Hulme 7 2.24x
Maryhill 7 8.76x
Shenfield 7 108.36x
Trunch 7 358.97x
Auchtertool 6 194.17x
Barrow In Furness 6 2.95x
Bassingbourn 6 51.06x
Bexley 6 15.76x
Braunston 6 129.59x
Dunfermline 6 5.22x
Farleigh Hungerford 6 750.00x
Feckenham 6 31.81x
Hampton In Arden 6 214.29x
Heworth 6 8.11x
Hunnington 6 1111.11x
Inverarity 6 160.00x
Leigh 6 212.01x
Penarth 6 27.93x
Royston 6 80.97x
Rugby 6 13.93x
Stoke Newington London 6 6.10x
Swaffham Prior 6 170.94x
Tardebigg 6 239.04x
Earl Stoke 5 423.73x
Forfar 5 7.90x
Logie 5 24.59x
Southwark St John 5 12.95x
Stirling 5 8.52x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Greenhill surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Greenhill surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 59
John 46
George 34
Thomas 28
Charles 27
Henry 25
Joseph 24
James 22
Alfred 18
Edward 16
Frederick 15
Walter 15
Richard 12
Arthur 10
Harry 10
Herbert 8
Albert 7
Benjamin 7
Samuel 7
Frank 4
Robert 4
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Martin 3
Barclay 2
Cecil 2
Chas. 2
Christopher 2
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Elias 2
Howard 2
Hugh 2
J.Edward 2
Job 2
Josiah 2
Lewis 2
Matthew 2
Percy 2
Saml. 2
Willm. 2
Bengamin 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dennis 1
Earnest 1
Edmond 1
H. 1
Harald 1

FAQ

Greenhill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Greenhill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,294 people were recorded with the Greenhill surname. That placed it at #3,167 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Greenhill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,716 in 2016. That gives Greenhill a modern rank of #3,637.

What does the Greenhill surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a green hill.

What does the Greenhill map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Greenhill bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.