NameCensus.

UK surname

Hiam

An English surname derived from the Hebrew name Hayim, meaning "life".

In the 1881 census there were 228 people recorded with the Hiam surname, ranking it #11,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 200, ranked #19,591, down from #11,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth and Upwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gloucester, Thurrock and Calderdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hiam is 261 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.3%.

1881 census count

228

Ranked #11,826

Modern count

200

2016, ranked #19,591

Peak year

1911

261 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hiam had 228 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016, ranked #19,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Hiam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hiam surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hiam 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 221 #9,630
1861 historical 179 #13,127
1881 historical 228 #11,826
1891 historical 236 #13,278
1901 historical 255 #12,965
1911 historical 261 #12,526
1997 modern 176 #19,091
1998 modern 191 #18,624
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 174 #19,829
2001 modern 174 #19,562
2002 modern 168 #20,396
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 166 #20,441
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 161 #21,201
2008 modern 159 #21,598
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 159 #22,577
2011 modern 166 #21,745
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 193 #19,997
2014 modern 192 #20,230
2015 modern 194 #19,994
2016 modern 200 #19,591

Geography

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Where Hiams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, Upwell, Maismore and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gloucester, Thurrock, Calderdale and Rossendale. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth Cambridgeshire
3 Upwell Cambridgeshire
4 Maismore Gloucestershire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gloucester 007 Gloucester
2 Thurrock 008 Thurrock
3 Calderdale 013 Calderdale
4 Rossendale 003 Rossendale
5 Gloucester 002 Gloucester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hiam

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hiam

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Hiam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Hiam household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hiam is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Hiam 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

Hiam falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hiam is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hiam

The surname Hiam originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hām," which means "homestead" or "village." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a particular hamlet or settlement.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Hiam can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which recorded landowners in England. The name appears as "de Hame" in this document, indicating that it was likely a locational surname at the time.

During the 14th century, variations of the name began to emerge, such as "Haam" and "Hayme." These spellings reflect the evolution of the English language and the influence of regional dialects on the pronunciation and spelling of surnames.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Hiam was William Hiam, a wealthy merchant and landowner in Somerset, England. He was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the local community, serving as a churchwarden and a member of the parish council.

Another prominent individual with the surname Hiam was John Hiam, who lived in the 17th century. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist in London, known for his charitable contributions to various causes, including the establishment of several schools and almshouses.

Moving into the 18th century, there are records of a family named Hiam residing in the village of Haughton, Staffordshire. One member of this family, Thomas Hiam, born in 1745, was a respected farmer and landowner in the area.

In the 19th century, the name Hiam gained recognition through the work of Emily Hiam, a celebrated English novelist and poet. Born in 1825, she published several acclaimed works, including "The Rector's Daughter" and "Poems of the Heart and Home."

Another notable individual from this period was Sir Walter Hiam, a prominent British military officer born in 1832. He served in the Crimean War and later became a respected figure in the colonial administration of India, where he held several important positions.

Throughout its history, the surname Hiam has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Staffordshire, and London. While the name has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the Old English word for "homestead," reflecting the significance of place in the development of surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hiam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hiam 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. Gloucestershire leads with 54 Hiams recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.27x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 54 12.27x
Warwickshire 44 7.78x
Cambridgeshire 36 25.33x
Middlesex 26 1.16x
Worcestershire 22 7.51x
Leicestershire 12 4.82x
Glamorgan 6 1.54x
Surrey 5 0.46x
Hampshire 4 0.87x
Kent 4 0.52x
Northamptonshire 4 1.90x
Yorkshire 4 0.18x
Norfolk 3 0.87x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.99x
Essex 1 0.23x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 3.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hartpury in Gloucestershire leads with 25 Hiams recorded in 1881 and an index of 4032.26x.

Place Total Index
Hartpury 25 4032.26x
Stratford On Avon 19 605.10x
Leicester St Margaret 12 19.78x
Claines 9 111.94x
Feckenham 9 268.66x
Gloucester Barton St 9 348.84x
Mepal 9 3103.45x
Old Stratford 9 281.25x
Manea 8 888.89x
Maisemore 7 1842.11x
Birmingham 6 3.18x
Cheltenham 6 17.67x
Swansea Town 6 18.73x
Bethnal Green London 5 5.13x
Hornsey 5 17.62x
Lambeth 5 2.56x
Limehouse London 5 20.30x
Sutton 5 423.73x
Aston 4 2.57x
Northampton All Sts 4 55.87x
Portsea 4 4.44x
Wootton Wawen 4 224.72x
Bingley 3 21.19x
Coveney 3 810.81x
Gloucester St Catherine 3 241.94x
Nottingham St Mary 3 3.84x
St Luke London 3 8.34x
Upwell 3 186.34x
Whistones 3 141.51x
Witchford 3 882.35x
Chatteris 2 55.10x
Chelsea London 2 2.96x
Deptford St Paul 2 3.39x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 2 32.26x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 2 24.84x
Leamington Priors 2 14.37x
Lewisham 2 4.90x
Upwell 2 192.31x
Brightside Bierlow 1 2.29x
Bromley London 1 2.03x
Hackney London 1 0.80x
Islington London 1 0.46x
Liverpool 1 0.62x
Minchinhampton 1 28.49x
Pendock 1 555.56x
Prestbury 1 91.74x
Royal Navy 1 4.38x
Shoreditch London 1 1.03x
South Shoebury 1 56.18x
St Anne Soho London 1 7.81x
St Marylebone London 1 0.83x
Wentworth 1 666.67x
Wisbech St Peter 1 14.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 8
Sarah 7
Elizabeth 6
Emily 6
Mary 6
Ann 5
Alice 4
Emma 4
Fanny 4
Louisa 4
Lucy 4
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Sophia 3
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Helen 2
Marian 2
Anne 1
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Celia 1
Christina 1
Christopher 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Emm. 1
Ester 1
F.Catharine 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Isabel 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
John 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Leah 1
Lizzie 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Susun 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
Thomas 10
James 9
William 9
George 8
Charles 7
Henry 6
Robert 5
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Fredrick 3
Arthur 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Michael 2
Albert 1
Chas. 1
Cireal 1
Deail 1
Dennis 1
Edgar 1
Failes 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
G.T. 1
Henery 1
Housden 1
Percy 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Hiam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hiam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 228 people were recorded with the Hiam surname. That placed it at #11,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hiam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016. That gives Hiam a modern rank of #19,591.

What does the Hiam surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Hebrew name Hayim, meaning "life".

What does the Hiam map show?

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