UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a ridge or hill.
In the 1881 census there were 121 people recorded with the Hickingbottom surname, ranking it #17,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #17,671 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Alkmund, Lincoln St Peter at Gowts and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hickingbottom is 121 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.7%.
1881 census count
121
Ranked #17,671
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1881
121 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hickingbottom surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hickingbottom surname density by area, 1881 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 66 | #25,487 |
| 1881 | historical | 121 | #17,671 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 115 | #21,050 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 1997 | modern | 75 | #30,109 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 68 | #31,311 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 60 | #31,985 |
| 2002 | modern | 62 | #32,214 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 58 | #33,094 |
| 2006 | modern | 63 | #32,943 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 52 | #34,381 |
| 2009 | modern | 52 | #34,544 |
| 2010 | modern | 52 | #34,726 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Alkmund, Lincoln St Peter at Gowts, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Werburgh and Donington, Castle. 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 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Lincoln St Peter at Gowts | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Donington, Castle | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hickingbottom 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 Hickingbottom, 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 Hickingbottom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hickingbottom 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, Hickingbottom 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 Hickingbottom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hickingbottom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hickingbottom has its origins in England, dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is derived from the Old English words "hiccing" meaning a young male deer, and "botm" meaning a valley or low-lying area. Thus, the name Hickingbottom likely referred to someone who lived in a valley where young deer were found.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of Whalley, Lancashire, where a John Hickingbottom was mentioned in 1587. The name also appears in the Hearth Tax records of Yorkshire in 1673, indicating its presence in that region during the 17th century.
In the 18th century, a notable figure with the surname Hickingbottom was Joseph Hickingbottom (1710-1775), a prominent merchant and landowner from Yorkshire. Another individual of note was William Hickingbottom (1768-1842), a renowned clockmaker from Lancashire.
Moving into the 19th century, the name appeared in various historical records across England. One example is James Hickingbottom (1820-1897), a successful industrialist from Yorkshire who owned several textile mills. Another noteworthy individual was Sarah Hickingbottom (1845-1923), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in Lancashire.
As the surname spread across England, it also found its way into other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One notable bearer of the name was Thomas Hickingbottom (1865-1937), a Welsh-born architect who designed several prominent buildings in Australia.
In the 20th century, the surname continued to be represented by individuals in various fields. One example is John Hickingbottom (1902-1984), a British author and journalist who wrote extensively about the countryside and rural life. Another notable figure was Robert Hickingbottom (1925-2010), a renowned British artist known for his landscape paintings.
While the surname Hickingbottom may not be among the most common in England today, its history and evolution reflect the rich tapestry of the country's cultural heritage, spanning centuries and encompassing individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hickingbottom 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. Leicestershire leads with 52 Hickingbottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.74x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 52 | 39.74x |
| Derbyshire | 29 | 15.69x |
| Nottinghamshire | 11 | 6.91x |
| Staffordshire | 10 | 2.51x |
| Lincolnshire | 9 | 4.77x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 3.89x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.17x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 1.64x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Castle Donnington in Leicestershire leads with 33 Hickingbottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 3027.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Donnington | 33 | 3027.52x |
| Hathern | 13 | 2452.83x |
| Derby St Alkmund | 12 | 216.61x |
| Stapenhill | 8 | 290.91x |
| St Maryle Wigford | 7 | 476.19x |
| Dudley | 6 | 32.02x |
| Hucknall Under | 6 | 731.71x |
| Tipton | 6 | 49.18x |
| Alstonefield | 4 | 2105.26x |
| Leicester St Mary | 4 | 37.84x |
| Litchurch | 3 | 40.32x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 3 | 7.29x |
| Allestree | 2 | 833.33x |
| Derby St Michael | 2 | 512.82x |
| Minting | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Nottingham St Peter | 2 | 112.99x |
| Ballidon | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 4.36x |
| Leeds | 1 | 1.51x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 3.13x |
| Long Eaton | 1 | 40.98x |
| Loughborough | 1 | 16.84x |
| Luton | 1 | 9.45x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 3.98x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hickingbottom 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 Hickingbottom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 121 people were recorded with the Hickingbottom surname. That placed it at #17,671 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Hickingbottom a modern rank of #34,889.
A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a ridge or hill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hickingbottom 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.