UK surname
An English surname derived from place names containing the Old English word "haran" meaning hare.
In the 1881 census there were 45 people recorded with the Hearon surname, ranking it #27,314 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #27,314 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wilberfoss, Rochdale and Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hearon is 105 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.6%.
1881 census count
45
Ranked #27,314
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
105 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hearon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hearon 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 45 | #27,314 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wilberfoss, Rochdale, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Manchester and Bristol City: St Leonard. 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 | Wilberfoss | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 2 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bristol City: St Leonard | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hearon 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 Hearon, 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 Hearon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hearon 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, Hearon 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 Hearon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hearon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hearon has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Heron," which refers to a heron, a type of wading bird.
The earliest known record of the name Hearon can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, dated 1273, where it is listed as "Walter le Heraun." This suggests that the name may have originally been spelled differently, with variations such as "Heraun" or "Heron."
In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John Herone was mentioned in 1327. This spelling variation further reinforces the connection between the surname and the bird species.
The Hearon surname has also been associated with certain place names in England, such as Heron Farm in Lincolnshire and Heron Court in Hampshire. It is possible that the name may have originated from individuals who lived near or worked on properties with names related to the heron bird.
Notable individuals who have borne the surname Hearon throughout history include John Hearon (1515-1578), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Thetford. Another prominent figure was William Hearon (1628-1695), a renowned clockmaker from London who is credited with introducing the anchor escapement mechanism in clocks.
In the 17th century, the Hearon name appeared in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Northamptonshire, where a Thomas Hearon was listed as a taxpayer in 1673. This suggests that the family had established roots in various parts of England by that time.
Other historical figures with the surname Hearon include Robert Hearon (1790-1856), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and Mary Hearon (1834-1909), an American author and poet from Virginia.
Throughout its history, the Hearon surname has maintained its connection to its English origins and the symbolic association with the heron bird. While the spelling may have varied over time, the essence of the name has endured, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their fascinating etymology.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hearon 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. Lancashire leads with 18 Hearons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 18 | 3.46x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 3.22x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 5.70x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.53x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.34x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.65x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.09x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.70x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 6 Hearons recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.17x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Everton | 6 | 36.17x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 28.36x |
| Blackburn | 4 | 28.88x |
| Bradford | 4 | 37.99x |
| Leeds | 4 | 16.29x |
| St Martin Lincoln | 4 | 615.38x |
| Heslington St Paul | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Pudsey | 2 | 86.21x |
| Staplehurst | 2 | 800.00x |
| Aspatria | 1 | 277.78x |
| Benfieldside | 1 | 116.28x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 3.57x |
| Chigwell | 1 | 121.95x |
| Elvet | 1 | 106.38x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.16x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 17.67x |
| Shettleston | 1 | 78.74x |
| Tiverton | 1 | 63.69x |
| Ulverston | 1 | 65.79x |
| Wavertree | 1 | 59.88x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hearon 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 Hearon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 45 people were recorded with the Hearon surname. That placed it at #27,314 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Hearon a modern rank of #38,825.
An English surname derived from place names containing the Old English word "haran" meaning hare.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hearon 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.