NameCensus.

UK surname

Hellyer

A locational name referring to someone from a place called Hellier or a topographic surname describing one who lived near a steep hill.

In the 1881 census there were 512 people recorded with the Hellyer surname, ranking it #6,654 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 562, ranked #9,130, down from #6,654 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Westbourne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Sedgemoor and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hellyer is 644 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.8%.

1881 census count

512

Ranked #6,654

Modern count

562

2016, ranked #9,130

Peak year

1911

644 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hellyer had 512 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,654 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 562 in 2016, ranked #9,130.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 644 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Hellyer surname distribution map

The map shows where the Hellyer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Hellyer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hellyer over time

The 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 430 #5,692
1861 historical 307 #8,262
1881 historical 512 #6,654
1891 historical 491 #7,536
1901 historical 603 #7,050
1911 historical 644 #6,486
1997 modern 582 #8,320
1998 modern 613 #8,263
1999 modern 606 #8,387
2000 modern 603 #8,394
2001 modern 589 #8,405
2002 modern 596 #8,501
2003 modern 590 #8,436
2004 modern 570 #8,643
2005 modern 569 #8,594
2006 modern 578 #8,521
2007 modern 583 #8,541
2008 modern 591 #8,512
2009 modern 615 #8,440
2010 modern 613 #8,647
2011 modern 593 #8,767
2012 modern 580 #8,813
2013 modern 580 #8,955
2014 modern 588 #8,936
2015 modern 571 #9,045
2016 modern 562 #9,130

Geography

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Where Hellyers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Westbourne and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Arun, Sedgemoor, Chichester and Gourock East, Greenock West and Lyle Road. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
3 Westbourne Sussex
4 London parishes London 2
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Arun 014 Arun
2 Sedgemoor 012 Sedgemoor
3 Arun 012 Arun
4 Chichester 008 Chichester
5 Gourock East, Greenock West and Lyle Road Inverclyde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hellyer

These lists show first names that appear often with the Hellyer surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hellyer

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hellyer, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Hellyer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hellyer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hellyer is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hellyer is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hellyer falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hellyer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hellyer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hellyer

The surname Hellyer is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "helle" or "hell," which referred to a steep slope or hill, and "hyrre," meaning a keeper or warden. Thus, the name Hellyer may have initially referred to someone who lived or worked on a steep hill or slope.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hellyer can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The spelling "Hellyer" or variations such as "Helier" or "Heller" appear in various counties across England, suggesting the name was relatively widespread by the 11th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name Hellyer appeared in various historical records and documents across different regions of England. For example, in 1273, a Robert Helier is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Oxfordshire, which were legal records of land transactions. Similarly, in 1381, a John Hellyer is recorded in the Poll Tax records for Yorkshire.

One notable individual with the surname Hellyer was Sir Samuel Hellyer (1634-1707), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Somerset. He was a prominent figure in the West Country during the 17th century and played a role in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.

Another significant figure was Arthur Hellyer (1753-1827), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was renowned for his bravery and leadership, and his actions contributed to several British victories at sea.

In the literary world, the name Hellyer is associated with Marjorie Hellyer (1903-1995), an English novelist and children's author. She wrote several popular books for young readers, including "The Mysterious House" and "The Children of Carn Cottage."

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Hellyer was also found in various parts of the United Kingdom, including Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. Some notable place names associated with the name include Hellyer's Quay in Cornwall and Hellyer's Mill in Devon, both of which were named after individuals with the Hellyer surname.

Another significant figure was William Hellyer (1824-1899), a British engineer and inventor who was responsible for several important innovations in the field of metallurgy and mining. He was awarded numerous patents for his inventions and played a crucial role in the industrial development of the Victorian era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hellyer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hellyer surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 137 Hellyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.00x.

County Total Index
Devon 137 13.00x
Hampshire 129 12.43x
Sussex 64 7.50x
Dorset 39 11.74x
Middlesex 34 0.67x
Surrey 20 0.81x
Yorkshire 20 0.40x
Kent 19 1.10x
Gloucestershire 8 0.81x
Denbighshire 6 3.14x
Cornwall 5 0.87x
Durham 5 0.33x
Glamorgan 5 0.57x
Warwickshire 5 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.59x
Royal Navy 4 6.63x
Channel Islands 3 2.00x
Essex 3 0.30x
Lancashire 3 0.05x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.65x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.62x
Derbyshire 1 0.13x
Somerset 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 69 Hellyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.93x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 69 33.93x
Plymouth St Andrew 27 33.26x
Westbourne 20 470.59x
Stoke Damerel 18 24.40x
Plymouth Charles The 17 36.61x
Winkleigh 17 801.89x
Southampton St Mary 15 22.99x
Stinsford 14 2372.88x
St Marylebone London 13 4.81x
Holy Trinity 12 9.94x
East Stonehouse 11 52.99x
Sidlesham 11 670.73x
Boxgrove 10 806.45x
Farlington 10 471.70x
South Bersted 8 110.19x
Bromley London 7 6.28x
Leominster 7 254.55x
Parkstone 7 180.41x
Portsmouth 7 29.30x
Woolwich 7 10.97x
Alverstoke 6 15.97x
Dorchester St Peter 6 248.96x
Lambeth 6 1.36x
Llanrwst 6 90.63x
Stonehouse East 6 112.15x
Tormoham 6 13.46x
Battersea 5 2.68x
Erith 5 29.38x
Kirk Ella 5 819.67x
Leamington Priors 5 15.91x
Rotherhithe 5 7.99x
Sherborne 5 51.07x
Westoe 5 5.86x
Barnstaple 4 24.18x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.82x
Bristol Temple 4 61.16x
Cheltenham 4 5.22x
East Stockwith 4 714.29x
Kington Magna 4 493.83x
Millbrook 4 15.30x
Royal Navy 4 7.76x
Ryde 4 17.95x
Sampford Peverell 4 357.14x
Subdeanery 4 61.73x
Widley 4 216.22x
Devonport 3 24.77x
East Budleigh 3 60.36x
Helston 3 50.34x
Hornchurch 3 61.22x
Kimberworth 3 10.78x
New Alresford 3 111.52x
Paignton 3 37.41x
Tonbridge 3 4.82x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 4.19x
Burlescombe 2 139.86x
Culmstock 2 134.23x
Dittisham 2 192.31x
Dorchester All Sts 2 125.79x
Dorking 2 12.08x
Exeter Alphington 2 103.63x
Holdenhurst 2 7.35x
Ide 2 173.91x
Leckwith 2 96.62x
Mile End Old Town London 2 1.86x
Olney 2 47.28x
Portchester 2 149.25x
Roath 2 5.00x
Sawston 2 64.72x
Selsey 2 127.39x
St Anne Soho London 2 6.92x
St Helier 2 4.10x
St Paul Covent Garden 2 39.45x
Totnes 2 32.47x
Antony 1 18.05x
Dartford 1 5.66x
Greenwich 1 1.24x
Ipplepen 1 69.93x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 11.31x
Poplar London 1 1.05x
Southwick 1 86.96x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hellyer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hellyer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 33
George 24
John 23
Thomas 15
James 14
Henry 12
Frederick 10
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Charles 6
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Edward 5
Edwin 5
Samuel 5
Albert 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Chas. 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Owen 2
Raymond 2
Reginald 2
Sydney 2
Wm. 2
Benjamin 1
David 1
Douglass 1
Edwd. 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Godfrey 1
H.M. 1
Herbert 1
Hercules 1
Jas. 1
Leonard 1
Lionel 1
M. 1
Mordiceah 1
Orland 1
Philip 1
Richd.J. 1
Robt. 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1

FAQ

Hellyer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hellyer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 512 people were recorded with the Hellyer surname. That placed it at #6,654 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hellyer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 562 in 2016. That gives Hellyer a modern rank of #9,130.

What does the Hellyer surname mean?

A locational name referring to someone from a place called Hellier or a topographic surname describing one who lived near a steep hill.

What does the Hellyer map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hellyer bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.