NameCensus.

UK surname

Hexter

A surname derived from the occupation of a honey maker or seller.

In the 1881 census there were 119 people recorded with the Hexter surname, ranking it #17,841 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, down from #17,841 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sawley and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, North Somerset and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hexter is 214 in 2004. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.4%.

1881 census count

119

Ranked #17,841

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

2004

214 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hexter had 119 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,841 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 183 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Hexter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hexter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hexter 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 77 #23,975
1881 historical 119 #17,841
1891 historical 127 #20,496
1901 historical 143 #18,570
1911 historical 183 #15,811
1997 modern 181 #18,763
1998 modern 197 #18,283
1999 modern 198 #18,343
2000 modern 212 #17,554
2001 modern 208 #17,513
2002 modern 209 #17,803
2003 modern 207 #17,746
2004 modern 214 #17,435
2005 modern 203 #17,961
2006 modern 198 #18,425
2007 modern 193 #18,923
2008 modern 187 #19,465
2009 modern 202 #18,896
2010 modern 201 #19,387
2011 modern 196 #19,538
2012 modern 177 #20,836
2013 modern 177 #21,170
2014 modern 182 #20,958
2015 modern 182 #20,856
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Hexters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Sawley, London parishes, Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish and Teignmouth, East. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, North Somerset, Cardiff and East Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Sawley Derbyshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon
5 Teignmouth, East Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 010 Teignbridge
2 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
3 North Somerset 012 North Somerset
4 Cardiff 037 Cardiff
5 East Devon 017 East Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hexter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hexter

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hexter, 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 Hexter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hexter 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Hexter is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hexter is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hexter falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hexter 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 Hexter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hexter

The surname Hexter is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "hehter," which means "hunter" or "trapper." The name likely emerged in the late medieval period, possibly as an occupational surname given to individuals who worked as hunters or trappers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hexter surname can be found in the town records of Cologne, Germany, dating back to the 15th century. These records mention a certain Johann Hexter, who was a skilled hunter known for his expertise in trapping game.

The Hexter name has also been linked to the region of Hesse, located in central Germany. It is believed that some variations of the name, such as Hechter or Hechter, may have originated from this region, where hunting and trapping were common occupations.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Hans Hexter was mentioned in a chronicle from the city of Nuremberg. He was celebrated for his excellent marksmanship and his ability to provide game for the local nobility.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including Hechter, Hechter, and Hechter. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hexter surname in the English-speaking world dates back to the late 17th century, when a German immigrant named Johann Hexter settled in Pennsylvania, USA. He and his family were among the first to bring the name to the American colonies.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Hexter surname. Johann Hexter (1800-1876), a German philosopher and educator, was renowned for his contributions to the field of pedagogy. Another prominent figure was Wilhelm Hexter (1849-1921), a German industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the steel industry in the Ruhr region.

In the realm of literature, the American author and academic Victor Hexter (1919-2008) gained recognition for his scholarly works on literary criticism and the works of authors such as John Milton.

Additionally, the Hexter name has been associated with various place names across Germany, such as Hechtern, a small town in the state of Hesse, and Hechtsheim, a district in the city of Mainz.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hexter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hexter 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 56 Hexters recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.18x.

County Total Index
Devon 56 23.18x
Somerset 20 10.70x
Surrey 10 1.77x
Middlesex 9 0.78x
Cornwall 8 6.09x
Gloucestershire 8 3.51x
Lancashire 4 0.29x
Monmouthshire 3 3.58x
Bedfordshire 1 1.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Teignmouth in Devon leads with 11 Hexters recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
East Teignmouth 11 1111.11x
West Teignmouth 11 594.59x
Exeter St Olave 9 2903.23x
Walcot 9 90.45x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 8 37.33x
Crediton 8 349.35x
Perranzabuloe 8 707.96x
Cothelstone 6 12000.00x
Plymouth Charles The 6 56.39x
Croydon 5 15.93x
Exeter Allhallows Onthe 5 4545.45x
Kirkdale 4 17.26x
St Pancras London 4 4.28x
Binegar 3 2727.27x
Devonport 3 107.91x
Lambeth 3 2.96x
St George Hanover Square 3 14.67x
St Woollos 3 32.05x
Bedminster 1 5.69x
Camberwell 1 1.35x
Cople 1 555.56x
Easton In Gordano 1 133.33x
Exeter St David 1 48.54x
Exminster 1 114.94x
Newington 1 2.33x
St Marylebone London 1 1.61x
Westminster St James 1 8.38x
Wolborough 1 32.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 14
Edward 6
George 6
Henry 5
James 5
John 4
Sidney 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
H.Waldron 1
Hy. 1
Infant 1
Joseph 1
Lewis 1
Norman 1
Percival 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Simeon 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Hexter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hexter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 119 people were recorded with the Hexter surname. That placed it at #17,841 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hexter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Hexter a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Hexter surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of a honey maker or seller.

What does the Hexter map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hexter 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.