UK surname
A locational surname likely referring to someone from Hilby, England.
In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Hilby surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #28,837 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sawley, Leiston with Sizewell and North Meols. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hilby is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.1%.
1881 census count
34
Ranked #28,837
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hilby surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hilby 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 34 | #28,837 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 10 | #33,026 |
| 1911 | historical | 18 | #31,542 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sawley, Leiston with Sizewell, North Meols, St George the Martyr and Langford. 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 | Sawley | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Leiston with Sizewell | Suffolk |
| 3 | North Meols | Lancashire |
| 4 | St George the Martyr | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Langford | Bedfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hilby 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 Hilby, 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 Hilby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hilby 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, Hilby 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 Hilby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hilby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HILBY is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from the place name Hilby, a small village located near the town of Harthill in the historic county of Yorkshire. The name Hilby is likely derived from the Old English words "hyll," meaning hill, and "by," meaning a farmstead or village.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname HILBY can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated around 1230, which lists a Robert de Hilby as a landowner in the area. The Pipe Rolls were financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, making them a valuable source for tracing early surnames and their geographic origins.
Another significant historical reference to the HILBY surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301, where a William Hilby is listed as a taxpayer. These rolls were records of taxes levied by the English Crown, providing insight into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that era.
In the 15th century, the HILBY surname appears in the records of the Court of Chancery, which dealt with matters of equity and legal disputes. A notable entry from 1485 mentions a John Hilby, who was involved in a land dispute over property in the village of Hilby.
One of the earliest known individuals with the HILBY surname was Thomas Hilby, who was born around 1520 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent landowner and served as a local magistrate during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another notable figure was Sir Robert Hilby (1588-1662), a member of the English gentry and a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War. He fought alongside King Charles I and was knighted for his service.
In the 18th century, John Hilby (1712-1786) was a successful merchant and shipping magnate based in the port city of Bristol. He amassed a considerable fortune through his international trading ventures and was known for his philanthropic efforts in the local community.
One of the most renowned individuals with the HILBY surname was the Reverend Walter Hilby (1819-1892), an influential Anglican clergyman and scholar. He served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and was widely respected for his theological writings and sermons.
While the HILBY surname may not be among the most widespread, its historical roots in England, particularly in the county of Yorkshire, are well-documented. From landowners and gentry to merchants and clergymen, the name has been carried by individuals who have left their mark across various walks of life throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hilby 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. Warwickshire leads with 9 Hilbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.76x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 9 | 10.76x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 11.56x |
| Kent | 6 | 5.30x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.51x |
| Surrey | 5 | 3.09x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.89x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 2.24x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.89x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edgbaston in Warwickshire leads with 9 Hilbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 347.49x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Edgbaston | 9 | 347.49x |
| Long Eaton | 6 | 869.57x |
| Plumstead | 6 | 159.15x |
| Hackney London | 5 | 26.90x |
| Newington | 5 | 40.82x |
| Stallingborough | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Tettenhall | 1 | 147.06x |
| Worksop | 1 | 75.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hilby 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 Hilby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Hilby surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Hilby a modern rank of #39,061.
A locational surname likely referring to someone from Hilby, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hilby 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.