NameCensus.

UK surname

Hails

A topographic surname relating to someone who lived near a hailstone location.

In the 1881 census there were 371 people recorded with the Hails surname, ranking it #8,417 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 415, ranked #11,550, down from #8,417 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Suffolk, Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hails is 469 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.9%.

1881 census count

371

Ranked #8,417

Modern count

415

2016, ranked #11,550

Peak year

1999

469 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hails had 371 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,417 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 415 in 2016, ranked #11,550.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 431 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Hails surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hails surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hails 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 295 #7,737
1861 historical 280 #8,953
1881 historical 371 #8,417
1891 historical 352 #9,781
1901 historical 372 #9,972
1911 historical 431 #8,789
1997 modern 444 #10,172
1998 modern 463 #10,192
1999 modern 469 #10,139
2000 modern 455 #10,340
2001 modern 443 #10,371
2002 modern 455 #10,349
2003 modern 434 #10,588
2004 modern 431 #10,680
2005 modern 408 #11,024
2006 modern 392 #11,418
2007 modern 393 #11,526
2008 modern 397 #11,556
2009 modern 411 #11,480
2010 modern 430 #11,306
2011 modern 417 #11,462
2012 modern 422 #11,223
2013 modern 435 #11,131
2014 modern 426 #11,408
2015 modern 419 #11,483
2016 modern 415 #11,550

Geography

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Where Hails' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and Newcastle St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Suffolk, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and Powys. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
4 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
5 Newcastle St John Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Suffolk 005 Mid Suffolk
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 027 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Gateshead 019 Gateshead
4 Gateshead 009 Gateshead
5 Powys 014 Powys

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hails

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hails

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Hails is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hails is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hails falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hails is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hails

The surname Hails originated in Germany, with its roots dating back to the 11th century. The name is derived from the Old German word "hail," which means "healthy" or "whole." It is believed that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to individuals who were robust and in good health.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hails can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the Kingdom of Saxony, dated around 1150. The record mentions a certain "Hainricus Hails" from the town of Erfurt.

In the 13th century, the name appears in the Calendarium Merseburgense, an ecclesiastical calendar from the city of Merseburg, where a "Johannes Hails" is listed as a member of the clergy.

During the medieval period, the name Hails was particularly prevalent in the regions of Saxony and Thuringia, where it was associated with several noble families. One notable individual was Konrad Hails, a knight who fought in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, during the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War.

In the 16th century, the Hails surname gained prominence in the city of Nuremberg, where a family of wealthy merchants and bankers resided. Johannes Hails (1490-1555) was a prominent member of this family, known for his philanthropic endeavors and support of the arts and sciences.

Another notable figure bearing the Hails surname was Johann Wilhelm Hails (1681-1743), a German theologian and author who wrote extensively on religious subjects. His works, including "De Religione Revelata" and "Commentarius in Epistolam ad Romanos," were widely read and influential during his time.

In the 19th century, the Hails surname was also found in the United States, where several individuals with this name made significant contributions. One such person was William Hails (1818-1892), a pioneering architect who designed many notable buildings in New York City, including the original Cooper Union building.

Throughout history, the surname Hails has been associated with various professions and fields, from nobility and clergy to merchants, scholars, and architects. While the name may have evolved in its spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the Old German word "hail," reflecting the concept of good health and wholeness.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hails families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hails 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. Durham leads with 139 Hails' recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.95x.

County Total Index
Durham 139 12.95x
Northumberland 97 18.06x
Suffolk 36 8.19x
Middlesex 25 0.69x
Essex 21 2.95x
Huntingdonshire 12 16.75x
Herefordshire 9 6.08x
Northamptonshire 7 2.06x
Pembrokeshire 4 3.49x
Cumberland 3 0.97x
Gloucestershire 3 0.42x
Surrey 3 0.17x
Lancashire 2 0.05x
Angus 1 0.30x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.44x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.66x
Cornwall 1 0.24x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.11x
Wigtownshire 1 2.09x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westoe in Durham leads with 63 Hails' recorded in 1881 and an index of 103.50x.

Place Total Index
Westoe 63 103.50x
Elswick 31 72.33x
Gateshead 27 33.59x
Tynemouth 23 79.97x
Winlaton 17 165.05x
Mile End Old Town London 15 19.53x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 13 40.54x
Cotton 12 1904.76x
Great Catworth 12 1621.62x
Whickham 11 111.34x
Crook Billy Row 10 72.73x
Ross 9 152.80x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 8 113.31x
Rainham 8 516.13x
West Ham 8 5.09x
Westgate 8 24.06x
Longbenton 7 30.78x
Esh 6 76.82x
Pettaugh 6 2400.00x
Stoke Bruern 6 576.92x
Angle 4 701.75x
Little Oakley 4 1000.00x
St Marylebone London 4 2.08x
Winston 4 1081.08x
Woodbridge 4 71.17x
Bristol St Paul In 3 15.91x
Chirton 3 24.69x
Hendon 3 23.09x
Ipswich St Peter 3 50.68x
Lambeth 3 0.95x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 10.78x
Shotley 3 389.61x
Winscales 3 2307.69x
Witton Gilbert 3 70.75x
Byers Green 2 66.01x
Crowfield 2 454.55x
Kenton 2 625.00x
Aston 1 0.40x
Barrow In Furness 1 1.72x
Brading 1 10.17x
Carmarthen St Peter 1 7.69x
Cowpen 1 8.08x
Dundee 1 0.80x
Falmouth 1 6.92x
Hampstead London 1 1.78x
Hedon 1 83.33x
Isleworth 1 6.23x
Little Horkesley 1 400.00x
Liverpool 1 0.38x
New Luce 1 112.36x
Paddington London 1 0.75x
Sedgley 1 2.21x
Whittlebury 1 163.93x
Wisbech St Mary 1 38.17x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Sarah 17
Elizabeth 16
Isabella 16
Jane 16
Margaret 10
Ann 9
Annie 7
Eliza 7
Emma 6
Alice 3
Anna 3
Barbara 3
Eleanor 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Esther 3
Carry 2
Catherine 2
Christiana 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Margret 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Rossanna 2
Sophia 2
Azuba 1
Bridget 1
Camelia 1
Carolina 1
Edith 1
Eliner 1
Elisth. 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Jemima 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
M.A. 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 31
John 22
George 11
Thomas 11
Robert 10
James 8
Henry 7
Joseph 6
Matthew 5
Charles 4
Edward 4
Richard 4
Greener 3
Michael 3
Anthony 2
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Jabez 2
Martin 2
Medcalf 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Christopher 1
Edwd.J. 1
Enveh 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
J. 1
J.T. 1
Jno. 1
Margaret 1
Ralph 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Williamn 1
Willm. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Hails surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hails surname in 1881?

In 1881, 371 people were recorded with the Hails surname. That placed it at #8,417 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hails surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 415 in 2016. That gives Hails a modern rank of #11,550.

What does the Hails surname mean?

A topographic surname relating to someone who lived near a hailstone location.

What does the Hails map show?

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