UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "valley of the high hill".
In the 1881 census there were 98 people recorded with the Higinbotham surname, ranking it #19,999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 41, ranked #35,388, down from #19,999 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Stockport (Romiley), No Mans Land and Hathersage. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Higinbotham is 122 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.2%.
1881 census count
98
Ranked #19,999
Modern count
41
2016, ranked #35,388
Peak year
1861
122 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Higinbotham surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Higinbotham surname density by area, 1861 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 | 86 | #18,820 |
| 1861 | historical | 122 | #18,036 |
| 1881 | historical | 98 | #19,999 |
| 1891 | historical | 53 | #29,946 |
| 1901 | historical | 87 | #24,386 |
| 1911 | historical | 72 | #25,642 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 37 | #34,149 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 38 | #34,004 |
| 2002 | modern | 39 | #34,219 |
| 2003 | modern | 39 | #34,296 |
| 2004 | modern | 38 | #34,555 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 44 | #34,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 45 | #34,818 |
| 2009 | modern | 48 | #34,798 |
| 2010 | modern | 44 | #35,183 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 47 | #34,992 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 47 | #35,097 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 41 | #35,388 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Stockport (Romiley), No Mans Land, Hathersage, Manchester and Hope. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Stockport (Romiley), No Mans Land | Cheshire |
| 3 | Hathersage | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Hope | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Higinbotham 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 Higinbotham, 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 Higinbotham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Higinbotham 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, Higinbotham 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 Higinbotham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Higinbotham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Higinbotham originates from England, with its earliest known use dating back to the 13th century. It is a locational name, derived from the Old English words "hege" meaning hay and "botham" meaning a valley or a hollow, suggesting that the name originally referred to someone who lived in a hay-filled valley.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Hygynbotham." This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that period.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Higinbotham" and "Higginbotham," in records from counties such as Lancashire and Yorkshire. These regional variations indicate the name's widespread use across different parts of England.
Notable individuals bearing the Higinbotham surname include William Higinbotham (1910-1994), an American physicist and pioneer of the interactive video game industry. He is credited with creating one of the first digital computer games, Tennis for Two, in 1958.
Another prominent figure was Sir Samuel Higinbotham (1618-1659), an English judge and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and later as Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the Commonwealth period under Oliver Cromwell.
In the 18th century, Thomas Higinbotham (1736-1820) was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars.
Moving into the 19th century, Ambrose Higinbotham (1801-1890) was an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in Liverpool, including the Grade I listed St. George's Hall.
Another notable figure was Henry Higinbotham (1819-1904), an Australian politician and judge who served as the Chief Justice of Victoria and played a significant role in the establishment of the Australian court system.
Throughout its history, the Higinbotham surname has been associated with various professions, including law, architecture, politics, and military service, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Higinbotham 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. Lancashire leads with 26 Higinbothams recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.29x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 26 | 2.29x |
| Cheshire | 24 | 11.37x |
| Derbyshire | 23 | 15.37x |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 1.06x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.29x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 1.66x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.31x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.61x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 17 Higinbothams recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.58x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton Under Lyne | 17 | 68.58x |
| Stoney Middleton | 15 | 12500.00x |
| Stayley | 9 | 373.44x |
| Great Hucklow | 8 | 13333.33x |
| Esher | 6 | 923.08x |
| Hyde | 6 | 96.31x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 5 | 26.91x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 5 | 25.95x |
| Gorton | 5 | 46.90x |
| Altrincham | 3 | 81.30x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 3.73x |
| Lymm | 3 | 196.08x |
| Everton | 2 | 5.53x |
| Poplar London | 2 | 11.09x |
| Beckenham | 1 | 23.47x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 7.22x |
| Hulme | 1 | 4.22x |
| Lee | 1 | 21.10x |
| Newton In Ashton Under | 1 | 48.08x |
| Rugby | 1 | 30.67x |
| Sale | 1 | 38.61x |
| Stockport | 1 | 9.21x |
| Stretford | 1 | 16.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Higinbotham 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 Higinbotham surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 98 people were recorded with the Higinbotham surname. That placed it at #19,999 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 41 in 2016. That gives Higinbotham a modern rank of #35,388.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "valley of the high hill".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Higinbotham 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.