UK surname
A surname with English origins possibly derived from the words "hoar" or "hore" referring to grayness or whiteness.
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Heare surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and Battersea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heare is 371 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.4%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
371 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Heare surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Heare 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 | 108 | #16,308 |
| 1861 | historical | 371 | #6,875 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 142 | #18,995 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 42 | #33,459 |
| 1998 | modern | 46 | #33,286 |
| 1999 | modern | 45 | #33,511 |
| 2000 | modern | 47 | #33,358 |
| 2001 | modern | 44 | #33,490 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 36 | #34,717 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Battersea, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Bedwelty. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner | Hampshire |
| 3 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| 5 | Bedwelty | Monmouthshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Heare 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 Heare, 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 Heare surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Heare 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, Heare 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 Heare is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Heare, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Heare originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "heare," which means "army" or "soldier." The name was likely given to someone who served in the military or had a profession related to soldiering.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Heare surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Here," "Hera," and "Heara."
During the Middle Ages, the Heare family was prominent in several regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. Some notable individuals with this surname from that period include Sir William Heare, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and John Heare, a wealthy merchant from York who lived in the 14th century.
In the 16th century, the Heare surname was associated with several place names, such as Hearesby in Lincolnshire and Hearewood in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
One of the most famous individuals with the Heare surname was Sir Ralph Heare (1568-1628), an English politician and landowner who served as a member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire. Another notable figure was William Heare (1597-1662), a prominent Puritan clergyman and writer who played a significant role in the English Civil War.
Other notable individuals with the Heare surname include:
1. Thomas Heare (1620-1688), an English botanist and naturalist known for his contributions to the study of plants. 2. Elizabeth Heare (1645-1718), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who founded several charitable institutions in Yorkshire. 3. Robert Heare (1710-1782), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House. 4. Samuel Heare (1789-1863), a British explorer and adventurer who traveled extensively in Africa and the Middle East. 5. Emily Heare (1835-1912), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who established several schools for girls in England.
The Heare surname has a rich history spanning several centuries, with roots in Old English and connections to various regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, it has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including politics, religion, science, and architecture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heare 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 19 Heares recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.61x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 19 | 3.61x |
| Northamptonshire | 7 | 14.13x |
| Monmouthshire | 6 | 15.76x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.95x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 3.01x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 6.28x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.11x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.21x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.91x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 4.63x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.16x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.28x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.41x |
| Rutland | 1 | 25.84x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.56x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hampstead London in Middlesex leads with 7 Heares recorded in 1881 and an index of 85.37x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampstead London | 7 | 85.37x |
| Thrapston | 7 | 2800.00x |
| Trevethin | 6 | 166.67x |
| Battersea | 5 | 25.80x |
| Kenilworth | 4 | 533.33x |
| Westminster St John | 4 | 62.40x |
| Islington London | 3 | 5.88x |
| Wendover | 2 | 588.24x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 2 | 78.74x |
| Brampton Abbotts | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Branscombe | 1 | 666.67x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 10.07x |
| Dartford | 1 | 54.35x |
| Kingsbury | 1 | 714.29x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 1 | 24.63x |
| Normanton | 1 | 142.86x |
| Norwood | 1 | 83.33x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 10.78x |
| Swanscombe | 1 | 123.46x |
| Uppingham | 1 | 217.39x |
| Wakefield | 1 | 24.94x |
| Walsall Foreign | 1 | 10.89x |
| Wollaton | 1 | 769.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Heare 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 Heare surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Heare surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Heare a modern rank of #36,457.
A surname with English origins possibly derived from the words "hoar" or "hore" referring to grayness or whiteness.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Heare 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.