UK surname
A surname of Dutch origin derived from the word meaning "neck" or "throat".
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Hals surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Bury and Rochdale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hals is 101 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.5%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
101 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hals surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hals surname density by area, 1861 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 | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 28 | #32,046 |
| 1901 | historical | 11 | #32,907 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Bury, Rochdale, London parishes and Newcastle All Saints. 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 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 2 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 3 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hals 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 Hals, 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 Hals surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hals 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, Hals 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 Hals is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hals, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HALS is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Hal, which was a diminutive form of Henry. It dates back to the late 12th century in England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name was in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195, where it appeared as Hals. This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname at that time.
The name was also found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners in England, where it appeared as Hals and Hales. This indicates that the name was well-established in various parts of the country by the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the name was recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it appeared as Halse and Hals. This further reinforces the widespread use of the name across different regions of England during this period.
During the 16th century, the surname HALS was associated with notable individuals such as John Hals (1516-1568), an English clergyman and author of a Latin grammar book. Another notable figure was Sir Edward Hals (1550-1615), a Member of Parliament and landowner in Somerset.
In the 17th century, the surname HALS was found in various records, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1672, where it appeared as Hals and Halse. This suggests that the name was still prevalent in different parts of England during this time.
In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Sir John Hals (1728-1806), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. Another significant figure was Thomas Hals (1740-1820), an English painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits.
Moving into the 19th century, the name HALS continued to be recorded in various documents, such as parish records and census records across England. Notable individuals from this period include William Hals (1801-1873), a British architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
Throughout history, the surname HALS has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, politicians, military officers, artists, and architects. While the exact origins of the name can be traced back to the Old English personal name Hal, it has been a part of England's historical records for centuries, reflecting its enduring presence and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hals 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. Buckinghamshire leads with 2 Hals' recorded in 1881 and an index of 85.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 85.11x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 23.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Budworth in Cheshire leads with 2 Hals' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Little Budworth | 2 | 20000.00x |
| Aylesbury | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Wendover | 1 | 3333.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hals 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 Hals surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 1 |
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 Hals households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farmer 16 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Hals surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Hals a modern rank of #38,594.
A surname of Dutch origin derived from the word meaning "neck" or "throat".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hals 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.