NameCensus.

UK surname

Hier

German surname meaning "here" or indicating place of origin or residence.

In the 1881 census there were 92 people recorded with the Hier surname, ranking it #20,709 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 218, ranked #18,481, up from #20,709 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanstadwell and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hier is 249 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 137.0%.

1881 census count

92

Ranked #20,709

Modern count

218

2016, ranked #18,481

Peak year

1999

249 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hier had 92 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,709 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016, ranked #18,481.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 182 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Hier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hier 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 67 #21,440
1861 historical 106 #20,147
1881 historical 92 #20,709
1891 historical 128 #20,393
1901 historical 161 #17,324
1911 historical 182 #15,859
1997 modern 230 #16,109
1998 modern 247 #15,813
1999 modern 249 #15,844
2000 modern 247 #15,864
2001 modern 238 #16,004
2002 modern 245 #16,041
2003 modern 232 #16,447
2004 modern 234 #16,416
2005 modern 208 #17,687
2006 modern 215 #17,441
2007 modern 215 #17,633
2008 modern 221 #17,495
2009 modern 229 #17,431
2010 modern 235 #17,477
2011 modern 232 #17,481
2012 modern 221 #17,979
2013 modern 223 #18,135
2014 modern 227 #18,029
2015 modern 219 #18,406
2016 modern 218 #18,481

Geography

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Where Hiers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanstadwell, Merthyr Tydfil, Bedwelty and Freystrop. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Llanstadwell Pembrokeshire
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 Freystrop Pembrokeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bridgend 010 Bridgend
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 015 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Merthyr Tydfil 008 Merthyr Tydfil
4 Swansea 011 Swansea
5 Bridgend 008 Bridgend

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hier

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Hier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Hier household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hier 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

Hier 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

Hier falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hier

The surname HIER is believed to have originated in Germany, where it first emerged in the late medieval period. It is derived from the German word "hier," which means "here" or "this place." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived in a particular location or town.

In the 14th century, the name HIER appeared in various records and manuscripts across Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the archives of towns and cities such as Munich and Leipzig.

One notable historical figure with the surname HIER was Johann Hier, a German scholar and theologian who lived in the 15th century (circa 1420-1490). He was known for his contributions to the study of biblical texts and his writings on religious topics.

Another individual of note was Hans Hier, a German merchant and trader who lived in the 16th century (approximately 1520-1585). He was instrumental in establishing trade routes between Germany and other European countries, and his business dealings helped shape the economic landscape of the time.

In the 17th century, the name HIER gained prominence in other parts of Europe as well. For instance, there are records of a family by the name of Hier residing in the Netherlands during this period. One member of this family was Willem Hier (1630-1698), a Dutch painter known for his landscapes and portraits.

As the centuries progressed, the name HIER continued to spread across various regions. In the 18th century, there was a notable French philosopher and writer named Pierre Hier (1710-1778), who wrote extensively on topics such as religion, politics, and social issues.

Another significant figure with the surname HIER was Johann Friedrich Hier (1785-1856), a German composer and musician from the Romantic era. His works included operas, symphonies, and chamber music, and he was highly regarded in his time.

While these are just a few examples, the surname HIER has a rich and diverse history that spans multiple countries and centuries, reflecting the fascinating journeys and contributions of those who have carried this name throughout the ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hier 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. Glamorgan leads with 53 Hiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.46x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 53 35.46x
Pembrokeshire 21 76.98x
Kent 7 2.39x
Monmouthshire 3 4.83x
Devon 1 0.56x
Middlesex 1 0.12x
Northamptonshire 1 1.24x
Surrey 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ystradyfodwg in Glamorgan leads with 20 Hiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 152.56x.

Place Total Index
Ystradyfodwg 20 152.56x
Merthyr Tydfil 18 125.35x
Llantwit Vairdre 8 476.19x
Deptford St Paul 7 30.99x
Freystrop 6 5454.55x
Monckton 6 1224.49x
Llanstadwell 5 561.80x
Bedwellty 3 27.40x
Cardiff St John 3 61.48x
Cwmdu 2 109.89x
Llantrisant 2 53.05x
Marloes 2 1666.67x
Brawdy 1 666.67x
Devonport 1 48.78x
Grondre 1 5000.00x
Lambeth 1 1.34x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 24.33x
St Anne Soho London 1 20.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 6
Martha 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Emma 2
Jane 2
Margret 2
Amelia 1
Catherine 1
Esther 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Leah 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 7
William 7
James 6
John 6
George 3
David 2
Elias 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Ann 1
Augustus 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
Gomer 1
Jopah 1
Mark 1

FAQ

Hier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 92 people were recorded with the Hier surname. That placed it at #20,709 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016. That gives Hier a modern rank of #18,481.

What does the Hier surname mean?

German surname meaning "here" or indicating place of origin or residence.

What does the Hier map show?

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