UK surname
A surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "hare ridge" or "hare hill".
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Harrill surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sedgley and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harrill is 108 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.0%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1891
108 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harrill surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harrill surname density by area, 1891 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 92 | #22,112 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 76 | #25,221 |
| 1997 | modern | 66 | #31,038 |
| 1998 | modern | 67 | #31,282 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 67 | #31,473 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 63 | #32,113 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 64 | #32,286 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 63 | #32,943 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 57 | #34,015 |
| 2009 | modern | 60 | #33,989 |
| 2010 | modern | 66 | #33,791 |
| 2011 | modern | 64 | #33,917 |
| 2012 | modern | 63 | #34,095 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 61 | #34,284 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sedgley, Bedminster, Ashton, Long and Newton St Loe. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 4 | Ashton, Long | Somerset |
| 5 | Newton St Loe | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harrill 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 Harrill, 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 Harrill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harrill 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, Harrill 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 Harrill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harrill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harrill is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known recorded instances dating back to the late 16th century. One of the earliest documented bearers of the name was John Harrill, who was born in the village of Waltham, Essex in 1582.
The name Harrill is thought to be derived from the Old English words "hæra" and "hyll," which together translate to "hare hill" or "hill where hares are found." This suggests that the name may have initially been a locational surname, given to someone who lived near a specific hill or raised hares.
While the Harrill surname is relatively uncommon, it can be found scattered across various parts of England, with concentrations in counties such as Essex, Kent, and Suffolk. In some early records, the name was also spelled as Harrel, Harryll, or Harryll, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common in those times.
One notable historical figure with the Harrill surname was William Harrill, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Colchester, Essex in the late 17th century. Records indicate that he was involved in the local wool trade and owned several properties in the area.
Another individual of note was Sarah Harrill, born in 1725 in the village of Great Baddow, Essex. She is mentioned in several parish records as having been a midwife and healer, highly respected in her community for her skills and knowledge of traditional remedies.
In the 19th century, a family by the name of Harrill settled in the town of Ipswich, Suffolk. One of their descendants, John Harrill (1842-1921), became a successful businessman and served as a local magistrate and councilor.
Moving into the 20th century, a notable figure was Henry Harrill (1901-1985), a renowned botanist and horticulturist from Kent. He was responsible for developing several new varieties of roses and was awarded numerous accolades for his contributions to the field.
Throughout its history, the Harrill surname has maintained a strong presence in parts of southeastern England, particularly in the counties of Essex, Kent, and Suffolk. While not a widespread name, it has left its mark on the region's history and continues to be carried on by families with deep roots in these areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harrill 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. Somerset leads with 21 Harrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.22x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 21 | 35.22x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 5.51x |
| Surrey | 4 | 2.22x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.81x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.58x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 4.43x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.37x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Long Ashton in Somerset leads with 7 Harrills recorded in 1881 and an index of 2333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Long Ashton | 7 | 2333.33x |
| Bedminster | 6 | 107.14x |
| Backwell | 4 | 3333.33x |
| Corston | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Horfield | 3 | 410.96x |
| Mitcham | 3 | 263.16x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 9.71x |
| Ramsgate | 2 | 97.09x |
| Wickhambrook | 2 | 1176.47x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 3.21x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 1 | 85.47x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.79x |
| Penge | 1 | 42.19x |
| Romford | 1 | 86.21x |
| Uphill | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harrill 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 Harrill 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 Harrill households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Labourer (Genl) | 2 |
| Architect Surveyors Assistant | 1 |
| Bakers Assistant | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coachman Unemployed | 1 |
| Coal Carter | 1 |
| Coal Merchant | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Domestic | 1 |
| Corn Seed Trade Out Of Business | 1 |
| Dairyman (Ag) | 1 |
| Domestic Servant Nurse | 1 |
| Factory Hand (F L) | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Journeyman Baker | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lodginghouse keeper | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Schoolmistress | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Harrill surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Harrill a modern rank of #34,511.
A surname derived from an Old English place name meaning "hare ridge" or "hare hill".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harrill 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.