UK surname
A topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a hall or manor house.
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Hallis surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 62, ranked #34,227, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paddington, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hallis is 362 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.1%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
62
2016, ranked #34,227
Peak year
1861
362 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hallis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hallis surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 86 | #18,820 |
| 1861 | historical | 362 | #7,062 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 252 | #12,685 |
| 1901 | historical | 105 | #22,179 |
| 1911 | historical | 68 | #26,050 |
| 1997 | modern | 43 | #33,361 |
| 1998 | modern | 45 | #33,374 |
| 1999 | modern | 49 | #33,130 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 41 | #34,032 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 46 | #33,883 |
| 2005 | modern | 46 | #34,081 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 51 | #34,272 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 57 | #34,225 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 57 | #34,556 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 62 | #34,227 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paddington, London parishes, Lambeth, Ilkeston and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Ilkeston | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hallis surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hallis, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hallis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hallis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hallis is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hallis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hallis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hallis is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "hol" meaning "hollow" or "hole" and "hus" meaning "house." It is believed to have originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a hollowed-out area or a dwelling built into a natural cavity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Holius" in the county of Lincolnshire. This variation suggests that the name may have initially been pronounced with a long "o" sound before evolving into its modern form.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various medieval records as "Holhous," "Holhus," and "Holehouse," reflecting the different spellings and pronunciations used in different regions. These variations indicate that the name was well-established across parts of England during this period.
Notable individuals bearing the Hallis surname include John Hallis, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York during the 15th century. Records show that he served as the city's mayor in 1467 and played a significant role in local governance.
Another noteworthy figure was William Hallis, born in 1625 in Lincolnshire, who became a respected scholar and theologian. He authored several works on religious subjects and served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Stamford, Lincolnshire, until his death in 1695.
In the 18th century, the name was associated with the Hallis family of Hertfordshire, who held significant landholdings in the area. One member of this family, Robert Hallis (1710-1788), was a successful businessman and landowner, known for his involvement in local affairs and philanthropy.
Another notable bearer of the Hallis surname was Elizabeth Hallis (1793-1867), a pioneering educator from Yorkshire. She established one of the first schools for girls in the region and was widely respected for her progressive teaching methods and commitment to providing quality education for young women.
Finally, in the 19th century, the Hallis name gained prominence in the field of engineering with the work of James Hallis (1827-1899), a civil engineer from Lancashire. He played a crucial role in the construction of several major railway lines and bridges across England during the Victorian era.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hallis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 21 Hallis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.95x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 21 | 2.95x |
| Lancashire | 13 | 1.54x |
| Yorkshire | 12 | 1.70x |
| Essex | 7 | 4.98x |
| Kent | 7 | 2.88x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.15x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.25x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.87x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.64x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 3.43x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.04x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 9 Hallis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.55x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 9 | 22.55x |
| Atherton | 7 | 227.27x |
| Black Notley | 7 | 4375.00x |
| Kensington London | 5 | 12.63x |
| Sheffield | 4 | 17.81x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 14.15x |
| Chatham | 3 | 44.91x |
| Islington London | 3 | 4.35x |
| Leeds | 3 | 7.53x |
| Lewisham | 3 | 23.17x |
| Wednesfield | 3 | 84.75x |
| Oldham | 2 | 7.33x |
| Walton In Wakefield | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Almondbury | 1 | 29.33x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 7.98x |
| Chilham | 1 | 285.71x |
| Chilton Foliat | 1 | 714.29x |
| Great Malvern | 1 | 51.55x |
| Holmer | 1 | 188.68x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.61x |
| Longton | 1 | 277.78x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 4.03x |
| Preston Under Soar | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Salford | 1 | 4.02x |
| South Stoneham | 1 | 31.55x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 1 | 32.47x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 7.97x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 8.76x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.74x |
| Ulverston | 1 | 40.65x |
| Wakefield | 1 | 18.45x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 21.83x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hallis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hallis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Hallis households.
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Hallis surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 62 in 2016. That gives Hallis a modern rank of #34,227.
A topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a hall or manor house.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hallis bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.