UK surname
Derived from the Middle English word "hice," meaning "tall" or "lofty," likely referring to a tall person.
In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Hice surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #32,926 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rowley Regis, Halifax and Rochester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hice is 100 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
6
Ranked #32,926
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1891
100 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hice surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hice 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 | 4 | #32,658 |
| 1861 | historical | 80 | #23,566 |
| 1881 | historical | 6 | #32,926 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 18 | #31,542 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 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 Rowley Regis, Halifax, Rochester, Kings Norton and Cambuslang. 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 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Rochester | Kent |
| 4 | Kings Norton | Worcestershire |
| 5 | Cambuslang | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hice 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 Hice, 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 Hice surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hice 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, Hice 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 Hice is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hice, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hice is believed to have originated in Germany during the medieval period. Derived from the Germanic root word "hiez," which means "person" or "man," the name initially referred to a person of significant stature or importance within a community.
In the early 13th century, records show the name Hice appearing in various regions of modern-day Germany, particularly in the southern regions. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, where a certain "Heinricus Hice" is mentioned in 1245.
As the name spread throughout the Germanic territories, different spellings emerged, such as Hietz, Hiez, and Hitz. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and scribal inconsistencies in record-keeping during that era.
One notable individual bearing the name Hice was Johann Hice, a prominent merchant and guild member in the city of Nuremberg during the 15th century. His name appears in several trade records and guild documents from the late 1400s.
In the 16th century, the name Hice also gained recognition in the Low Countries, particularly in the Netherlands. A well-known figure was Pieter Hice, a Dutch painter and engraver who lived from 1536 to 1604. His works, primarily religious and allegorical scenes, can still be found in various collections across Europe.
Another significant figure was Hans Hice, a German architect and stonemason, who was born in 1525 in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. He is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several notable churches and municipal buildings throughout southern Germany during the late Renaissance period.
The name Hice also has ties to various place names in Germany, such as Hitzacker, a town in Lower Saxony, and Hitzhofen, a municipality in Bavaria. These geographic locations may have influenced the surname's evolution and spread across different regions.
Throughout the centuries, the surname Hice has been carried by numerous individuals, including scholars, artisans, and professionals. While it may not be as widespread as some other German surnames, its origins can be traced back to the medieval era, reflecting the importance and status of those who originally bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hice 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 6 Hices recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 6 | 10.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Isleworth in Middlesex leads with 2 Hices recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Isleworth | 2 | 769.23x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 61.54x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 93.02x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hice 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 Hice surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Henry | 2 |
FAQ
In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Hice surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Hice a modern rank of #38,825.
Derived from the Middle English word "hice," meaning "tall" or "lofty," likely referring to a tall person.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hice 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.