NameCensus.

UK surname

Hallam

From a place name meaning "at the rocks" or "at the corner" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 5,584 people recorded with the Hallam surname, ranking it #794 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7,606, ranked #880, down from #794 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham St Mary and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Amber Valley and Ashfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hallam is 8,239 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.2%.

1881 census count

5,584

Ranked #794

Modern count

7,606

2016, ranked #880

Peak year

1999

8,239 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hallam had 5,584 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #794 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 7,606 in 2016, ranked #880.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8,091 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hallam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hallam surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hallam 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 3,332 #867
1861 historical 3,310 #863
1881 historical 5,584 #794
1891 historical 5,988 #783
1901 historical 7,227 #761
1911 historical 8,091 #621
1997 modern 7,840 #824
1998 modern 8,163 #821
1999 modern 8,239 #820
2000 modern 8,180 #816
2001 modern 8,008 #815
2002 modern 8,189 #813
2003 modern 7,997 #814
2004 modern 7,935 #814
2005 modern 7,729 #827
2006 modern 7,773 #822
2007 modern 7,845 #824
2008 modern 7,847 #830
2009 modern 7,936 #840
2010 modern 8,150 #838
2011 modern 8,059 #835
2012 modern 7,783 #846
2013 modern 7,872 #852
2014 modern 7,893 #857
2015 modern 7,709 #865
2016 modern 7,606 #880

Geography

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Where Hallams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham St Mary, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Amber Valley, Ashfield and Erewash. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 006 High Peak
2 High Peak 013 High Peak
3 Amber Valley 017 Amber Valley
4 Ashfield 003 Ashfield
5 Erewash 014 Erewash

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hallam

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hallam

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hallam, 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 Hallam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hallam 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hallam is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hallam is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hallam falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hallam is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hallam

The surname Hallam is of English origin, deriving from the place name Hallam, which is an area in the county of Yorkshire. This place name is believed to have originated from the Old English words "halh" meaning a remote valley or nook, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Hallam can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Hallam." This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 12th century, the Hallam family held lands in the village of Hallam, which later became a part of the city of Sheffield. One notable member of the family during this time was William de Hallam, who was a prominent landowner in the area.

During the 13th century, the Hallam family expanded their influence, with members holding positions of importance in the local government and church. One such individual was Roger de Hallam, who served as the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1263.

By the 14th century, the Hallam name had spread beyond Yorkshire, with branches of the family appearing in various parts of England. One notable figure from this period was John Hallam, a renowned scholar and clergyman who served as the Bishop of Carlisle from 1292 to 1324.

In the 16th century, the Hallam name gained further prominence with the birth of Robert Hallam (1515-1559), a renowned English lawyer and member of the Parliament of England. He played a significant role in the legal and political affairs of his time.

Another notable figure was Sir Robert Hallam (1566-1632), an English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Sheffield. He is remembered for his support of education and charitable endeavors.

Over the centuries, the Hallam surname has been associated with various notable individuals across various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. These include the British writer and critic A.E. Hallam (1892-1975), and the American actress and singer Laura Hallam (1976-present).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hallam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hallam 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 1,362 Hallams recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.55x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 1,362 18.55x
Derbyshire 930 10.91x
Yorkshire 673 1.25x
Lancashire 552 0.85x
Leicestershire 530 8.78x
Staffordshire 344 1.87x
Lincolnshire 241 2.77x
Cheshire 227 1.89x
Middlesex 183 0.34x
Warwickshire 94 0.68x
Surrey 80 0.30x
Kent 60 0.32x
Durham 43 0.27x
Worcestershire 37 0.52x
Northamptonshire 32 0.62x
Shropshire 21 0.45x
Gloucestershire 18 0.17x
Hampshire 17 0.15x
Rutland 15 3.75x
Suffolk 15 0.23x
Oxfordshire 13 0.39x
Sussex 12 0.13x
Devon 11 0.10x
Essex 11 0.10x
Lanarkshire 6 0.03x
Norfolk 6 0.07x
Northumberland 6 0.07x
Hertfordshire 5 0.13x
Monmouthshire 5 0.13x
Somerset 5 0.06x
Brecknockshire 4 0.37x
Glamorgan 4 0.04x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 3 0.13x
Denbighshire 3 0.15x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.06x
Royal Navy 2 0.31x
Anglesey 1 0.10x
Bedfordshire 1 0.04x
Berkshire 1 0.02x
Dorset 1 0.03x
Midlothian 1 0.01x
Perthshire 1 0.04x
Radnorshire 1 0.23x
Renfrewshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 249 Hallams recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.11x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 249 13.11x
Stoke Upon Trent 168 8.62x
Leicester St Margaret 123 8.35x
Sheffield 99 5.76x
Ashton Under Lyne 83 5.88x
East Leake 80 454.03x
Snenton 73 25.31x
Bradwell 71 372.31x
Brightside Bierlow 71 6.71x
Chapel En Le Frith 68 87.35x
Ecclesall Bierlow 67 6.10x
Greasley 67 40.45x
Loughborough 62 22.63x
Ilkeston 61 25.52x
Ruddington 57 115.81x
Manchester 53 1.82x
Worksop 48 22.05x
Long Eaton 44 39.10x
Ecclesfield 41 10.36x
Stone 39 16.59x
Mansfield 35 13.78x
Radford 35 9.39x
Newark Upon Trent 34 12.89x
Glossop Dale 33 8.26x
Stapleford 33 55.35x
Burton Upon Trent 32 7.44x
Derby St Peter 31 11.41x
Stockport 30 4.85x
Aston 29 0.77x
Belgrave 28 20.55x
Dukinfield 28 5.04x
Oldham 28 1.34x
Brinnington 27 24.04x
Chesterfield 27 8.45x
Haslingden 27 10.09x
Heanor 27 21.17x
Leicester St Mary 27 5.53x
Nether Hallam 26 3.56x
Hasland 25 28.80x
Marston Upon Dove 25 91.24x
Mile End Old Town London 25 2.16x
Salford 25 1.32x
Shoreditch London 25 1.06x
Camberwell 24 0.69x
Hyde 24 6.77x
Islington London 24 0.45x
Ratcliffe Upon Trent 24 130.29x
Aston Cum Aughton 23 52.10x
Birstall 23 252.19x
Hucknall Torkard 23 12.36x
Sutton Bonnington 23 122.67x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 22 4.38x
Costock 21 362.07x
Hallam 21 388.17x
Kings Norton 21 3.29x
Stoney Middleton 21 320.12x
Bottesford 20 80.61x
Gorton 20 3.29x
Greenwich 20 2.31x
Gotham 19 99.32x
Tibshelf 19 45.42x
Beeston 18 21.34x
Birmingham 18 0.39x
Horsforth 18 15.21x
Lambeth 18 0.38x
Lambley 18 120.08x
Leeds 18 0.59x
Swannington 18 80.72x
Trentham 18 11.51x
West Hallam 18 163.04x
Carlton 17 20.30x
Derby St Werburgh 17 3.45x
Marple 17 20.60x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 17 13.88x
Alfreton 16 6.18x
Belper 16 9.68x
Chorlton On Medlock 16 1.56x
Great Grimsby 16 2.89x
Hartshorn 16 49.67x
Sandiacre 16 52.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 425
Sarah 246
Elizabeth 243
Ann 140
Annie 106
Eliza 103
Hannah 93
Jane 93
Emma 74
Ellen 73
Martha 63
Alice 62
Harriet 50
Emily 39
Fanny 38
Kate 36
Maria 35
Florence 33
Ada 29
Charlotte 28
Clara 28
Louisa 28
Edith 27
Lucy 26
Catherine 24
Frances 23
Anne 22
Harriett 22
Margaret 22
Agnes 20
Caroline 17
Ruth 17
Esther 16
Rebecca 16
Rose 16
Elizth. 15
Gertrude 13
Bertha 12
Susan 12
Matilda 11
Amelia 10
Betsy 10
Lydia 9
Isabella 8
Eliz. 7
Julia 7
Lizzie 7
Ethel 6
Minnie 6
Miriam 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 362
William 344
Thomas 238
George 234
Joseph 157
James 116
Henry 111
Samuel 78
Arthur 66
Charles 63
Robert 61
Edward 44
Alfred 43
Frederick 42
Richard 41
Albert 34
Frank 32
Herbert 30
Walter 28
Harry 26
Ernest 22
Isaac 22
Wm. 22
Francis 21
Thos. 20
Benjamin 18
Tom 17
Fred 14
David 13
Edwin 12
Eli 8
Fredrick 8
Ellis 7
Geo. 7
Jno. 7
Saml. 7
Willm. 7
Chas. 6
Enoch 6
Matthew 6
Percy 6
Reuben 6
Cornelius 5
Frederic 5
Fredk. 5
Mark 5
Harold 4
Jacob 4
Joshua 4
Lawrence 4

FAQ

Hallam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hallam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5,584 people were recorded with the Hallam surname. That placed it at #794 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hallam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 7,606 in 2016. That gives Hallam a modern rank of #880.

What does the Hallam surname mean?

From a place name meaning "at the rocks" or "at the corner" in Old English.

What does the Hallam map show?

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