UK surname
An occupational surname originating from the Scottish Gaelic word for "wildcat hunter".
In the 1881 census there were 92 people recorded with the Hean surname, ranking it #20,709 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #20,709 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Arbroath and St. Vigeans and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hean is 335 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.0%.
1881 census count
92
Ranked #20,709
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
335 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hean surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hean 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 | 146 | #13,157 |
| 1861 | historical | 335 | #7,610 |
| 1881 | historical | 92 | #20,709 |
| 1891 | historical | 167 | #17,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 76 | #25,734 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, All Saints Poplar and St Mary Islington. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Arbroath and St. Vigeans | Forfar |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hean 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 Hean, 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 Hean surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hean 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, Hean 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 Hean is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hean, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HEAN is of English origin, originating in the medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hēan" or "hēane," meaning "high" or "lofty," suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived in an elevated location or a person of a stately stature.
One of the earliest recorded references to the HEAN surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated 1273, which mentions a Robert de Hene. This suggests that the name may have initially been spelled as "Hene" before evolving into its current form.
During the 14th century, the HEAN surname appeared in various legal and ecclesiastical records across England. In the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire, dated 1332, a Thomas Hene is mentioned, indicating the presence of the surname in the Midlands region.
The HEAN surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Hean Castle in Devon and Hean Farm in Somerset. These place names may have influenced the development of the surname or vice versa, as it was common for people to adopt surnames derived from their place of residence or origin.
Among the notable individuals bearing the HEAN surname throughout history are:
1. John Hean (c. 1550 - 1625), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Taunton from 1615 until his death. 2. William Hean (1635 - 1711), a renowned English architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge. 3. Elizabeth Hean (1782 - 1858), a British philanthropist and social reformer who advocated for the education of underprivileged children in the early 19th century. 4. Robert Hean (1828 - 1897), a Scottish engineer and inventor best known for his contributions to the development of early steam engines and locomotives. 5. Sarah Hean (1889 - 1965), a British author and poet whose works explored themes of nature and rural life in the early 20th century.
These examples illustrate the longevity and diverse backgrounds of individuals bearing the HEAN surname throughout history, further cementing its English origins and enduring presence across various fields and professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hean 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. Angus leads with 29 Heans recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | 29 | 35.27x |
| Middlesex | 21 | 2.37x |
| Cheshire | 8 | 4.08x |
| Cornwall | 6 | 5.97x |
| Essex | 6 | 3.42x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 2.68x |
| Fife | 4 | 7.61x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.00x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.08x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.46x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.10x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.30x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.33x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.11x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 19 Heans recorded in 1881 and an index of 152.24x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liff Benvie | 19 | 152.24x |
| Dundee | 10 | 32.57x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 8 | 355.56x |
| Islington London | 7 | 8.14x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 7 | 160.92x |
| Birmingham | 6 | 8.04x |
| Mylor | 6 | 895.52x |
| Wanstead | 6 | 195.44x |
| Poplar London | 3 | 17.91x |
| Balmerino | 2 | 1000.00x |
| Billingshurst | 2 | 408.16x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.80x |
| Atcham | 1 | 769.23x |
| Bexhill | 1 | 133.33x |
| Exminster | 1 | 151.52x |
| Forgan | 1 | 99.01x |
| Hoyland Nether | 1 | 46.30x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.29x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.56x |
| Norwood | 1 | 49.26x |
| Pirbright | 1 | 454.55x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 7.03x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 1 | 26.04x |
| Wemyss | 1 | 45.05x |
| Wolstanton | 1 | 10.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hean 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 Hean surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 92 people were recorded with the Hean surname. That placed it at #20,709 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Hean a modern rank of #37,385.
An occupational surname originating from the Scottish Gaelic word for "wildcat hunter".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hean 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.