NameCensus.

UK surname

Haile

An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name or a nickname for a healthy person.

In the 1881 census there were 304 people recorded with the Haile surname, ranking it #9,637 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 761, ranked #7,203, up from #9,637 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Bees, London parishes and East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, Forest of Dean and Gloucester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Haile is 761 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 150.3%.

1881 census count

304

Ranked #9,637

Modern count

761

2016, ranked #7,203

Peak year

2016

761 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Haile had 304 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,637 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 761 in 2016, ranked #7,203.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 357 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Haile surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Haile surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Haile 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 140 #13,593
1861 historical 217 #11,220
1881 historical 304 #9,637
1891 historical 296 #11,215
1901 historical 332 #10,863
1911 historical 357 #10,132
1997 modern 440 #10,247
1998 modern 469 #10,079
1999 modern 476 #10,026
2000 modern 472 #10,063
2001 modern 450 #10,226
2002 modern 471 #10,076
2003 modern 475 #9,848
2004 modern 511 #9,361
2005 modern 531 #9,034
2006 modern 529 #9,084
2007 modern 556 #8,828
2008 modern 587 #8,562
2009 modern 630 #8,271
2010 modern 669 #8,068
2011 modern 680 #7,863
2012 modern 712 #7,509
2013 modern 737 #7,445
2014 modern 751 #7,369
2015 modern 754 #7,276
2016 modern 761 #7,203

Geography

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Where Hailes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Bees, London parishes, East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H and Egremont. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, Forest of Dean, Gloucester and Copeland. 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 St Bees Cumberland
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H Gloucestershire
5 Egremont Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
2 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
3 Herefordshire 022 Herefordshire, County of
4 Gloucester 008 Gloucester
5 Copeland 007 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Haile

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Haile

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Haile, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Haile surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Haile 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Haile is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Haile is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Haile 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 Haile 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Haile

The surname HAILE is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where it is a common name among the Amhara people. The name is derived from the Amharic word "Haile," which means "power" or "might." It is thought to have first emerged as a surname during the medieval period of Ethiopia's history, potentially as early as the 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HAILE can be found in the ancient Ge'ez manuscripts, which were written in the ancient Semitic language that predated Amharic. These manuscripts often referred to individuals with the title "Haile," indicating their status and authority within the Ethiopian Empire.

The name HAILE gained particular significance during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I, who ruled Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Haile Selassie, whose full name was Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael Gudzadhi, was born in 1892 and is revered by Rastafarians as the returned messiah. His adoption of the name "Haile" upon his coronation as Emperor further solidified the name's association with power and leadership in Ethiopian culture.

Another notable figure in Ethiopian history with the surname HAILE was Ras Haile Maryam Redda, a prominent military leader and nobleman who lived in the late 19th century. He played a crucial role in the Ethio-Sudanese War of 1876-1877 and was known for his military prowess.

The surname HAILE has also been carried by prominent scholars and intellectuals, such as Haile Gerima, an Ethiopian filmmaker and writer born in 1946. Gerima is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of African cinema and has been recognized with numerous awards for his work.

Another individual with the surname HAILE who has left a lasting impact is Haile Gebrselassie, an Ethiopian long-distance runner born in 1973. Gebrselassie is widely considered one of the greatest distance runners of all time, holding multiple world records and winning numerous Olympic and World Championship medals throughout his illustrious career.

While the surname HAILE has its roots in Ethiopia, it has also been adopted by individuals of various backgrounds and nationalities, particularly those with ties to the Ethiopian diaspora or those who have embraced the Rastafarian faith, which holds Emperor Haile Selassie I in high regard.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Haile families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Haile 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. Gloucestershire leads with 92 Hailes recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.77x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 92 15.77x
Cumberland 62 24.20x
Middlesex 31 1.04x
Durham 29 3.28x
Surrey 19 1.31x
Kent 15 1.48x
Buckinghamshire 12 6.67x
Devon 10 1.61x
Suffolk 8 2.21x
Herefordshire 5 4.10x
Leicestershire 4 1.21x
Dorset 3 1.54x
Wiltshire 3 1.14x
Bedfordshire 2 1.30x
Hertfordshire 2 0.98x
Lancashire 2 0.06x
Cheshire 1 0.15x
Derbyshire 1 0.21x
Essex 1 0.17x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.06x
Royal Navy 1 2.82x
Westmorland 1 1.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westbury On Severn East in Gloucestershire leads with 42 Hailes recorded in 1881 and an index of 318.42x.

Place Total Index
Westbury On Severn East 42 318.42x
Egremont 26 425.53x
Camberwell 15 7.89x
Westoe 13 25.91x
Buckingham 11 300.55x
Lewisham 11 20.32x
Westminster St John 11 30.36x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 9 84.27x
Lowside Quarter 9 2812.50x
Cleator 8 75.05x
Upton St Leonards 8 540.54x
Workington 8 54.53x
Bishop Middleham 7 1458.33x
Gorleston 7 76.00x
Lydney 7 232.56x
St Luke London 7 14.67x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 42.31x
Gateshead 6 9.05x
Kensington London 6 3.63x
Mitcheldean 5 694.44x
West Dean 5 52.74x
Leicester St Mary 4 15.01x
North Molton 4 330.58x
Tonbridge 4 10.93x
Welsh Newton 4 1739.13x
Wotton St Mary 4 132.01x
Abinghall 3 1111.11x
Muncaster 3 555.56x
Ponsonby 3 1764.71x
Westbury On Severn 3 129.87x
Wilton 3 161.29x
Arlecdon 2 29.37x
Bristol St Michael 2 40.00x
Hatfield 2 48.08x
Hensingham 2 95.69x
Hetton Le Hole 2 17.83x
Islington London 2 0.69x
Lambeth 2 0.77x
Leighton Buzzard 2 30.17x
Longhope 2 202.02x
Newington 2 1.82x
Pimperne 2 454.55x
St Clement Danes London 2 32.47x
Benhall 1 158.73x
Brougham 1 333.33x
Chester Castle 1 285.71x
Chester Le Street 1 14.71x
Drigg Carleton 1 172.41x
Glossop Dale 1 4.59x
Gloucester St John Baptist 1 26.53x
Habergham Eaves 1 3.10x
Heaton Norris 1 4.98x
Paddington London 1 0.91x
Royal Navy 1 3.30x
St Martin In Fields 1 5.61x
Tarrant Keynston 1 357.14x
Tenby St Mary In 1 20.79x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 13.95x
West Ham 1 0.77x
Westbury On Trym 1 5.06x
Westminster St Margaret 1 6.97x
Whitchurch 1 133.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 16
Ann 11
Jane 11
Elizabeth 8
Alice 5
Annie 5
Emily 5
Caroline 4
Ellen 4
Maria 4
Ada 3
Eleanor 3
Isabella 3
Margaret 3
Anna 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Hannah 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Maryann 2
Minnie 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Beatrice 1
Bessy 1
Carlme 1
Clara 1
Dorcas 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Georgema 1
Jemima 1
Josephine 1
Lilian 1
Lillian 1
M. 1
Prudence 1
Rosa 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 20
William 20
Thomas 15
Henry 12
George 9
James 8
Charles 6
Robert 5
Tom 4
Alfred 3
Joseph 3
Christopher 2
Eli 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Sands 2
Stanley 2
Albert 1
Allan 1
Allen 1
Alum 1
Andrew 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Elisha 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Gabriel 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Isaac 1
Jonathan 1
Launcelot 1
Lewis 1
Martin 1
Moses 1
Mossop 1
Norman 1
Oliver 1
Ralph 1
Samuel 1
Valentine 1
Walter 1
Walton 1
Winter 1

FAQ

Haile surname: questions and answers

How common was the Haile surname in 1881?

In 1881, 304 people were recorded with the Haile surname. That placed it at #9,637 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Haile surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 761 in 2016. That gives Haile a modern rank of #7,203.

What does the Haile surname mean?

An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name or a nickname for a healthy person.

What does the Haile map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Haile 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.