UK surname
An English habitational surname denoting someone from a place with a hillock or small hill.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Hillin surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30, ranked #35,997, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Mitcham, Burbage and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hillin is 176 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.3%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
30
2016, ranked #35,997
Peak year
1861
176 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hillin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hillin 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 | 47 | #24,810 |
| 1861 | historical | 176 | #13,335 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 160 | #17,555 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 38 | #29,147 |
| 1997 | modern | 34 | #34,282 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 28 | #35,080 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 28 | #35,139 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 30 | #35,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 28 | #36,096 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 30 | #35,997 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Mitcham, Burbage, Lambeth, Liverpool and Leigh. 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 | Mitcham | Surrey |
| 2 | Burbage | Wiltshire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Leigh | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hillin 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 Hillin, 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 Hillin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hillin 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, Hillin 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 Hillin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hillin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hillin has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hill" and "dun," meaning a hill or a low ridge. This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near or on a hill.
One of the earliest known references to the surname Hillin can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1198, which mentions a person named Roger Hillin. In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Hilun, Hyllun, and Hyllyn, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.
The Hillin surname is also associated with several place names in England, including Hillingdon, a town in the London Borough of Hillingdon, and Hillington, a village in Norfolk. These place names may have influenced the spelling and distribution of the surname over time.
During the medieval period, the name Hillin was not uncommon among the English gentry. One notable figure was Sir John Hillin, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
In the 16th century, records show a William Hillin who was born in Oxfordshire in 1542. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region. Another individual of note was Thomas Hillin, a clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire from 1611 until his death in 1638.
The 17th century saw the rise of Hillin family in the county of Gloucestershire. Robert Hillin (1620-1698) was a prosperous farmer and landowner, while his son, also named Robert Hillin (1662-1723), was a respected lawyer and magistrate.
In the 18th century, the Hillin surname gained prominence in the field of literature. John Hillin (1738-1812) was an acclaimed poet and playwright, known for his satirical works and commentary on social issues of the time.
Throughout its history, the Hillin surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, merchants, clergymen, and artists. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape of Britain.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hillin 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 15 Hillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 15 | 2.49x |
| Renfrewshire | 10 | 25.45x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 7.04x |
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 4.88x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 5.66x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.81x |
| Berwickshire | 1 | 16.29x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.00x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 11 Hillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.10x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 11 | 30.10x |
| Neilston | 10 | 507.61x |
| Aston | 9 | 25.55x |
| Whitchurch | 5 | 1041.67x |
| Barony | 4 | 9.64x |
| Cadder | 4 | 330.58x |
| Ormskirk | 2 | 173.91x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 9.81x |
| Croydon | 1 | 7.29x |
| Edrom | 1 | 384.62x |
| Elswick | 1 | 16.61x |
| Streatham | 1 | 26.60x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 27.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hillin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Hillin surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016. That gives Hillin a modern rank of #35,997.
An English habitational surname denoting someone from a place with a hillock or small hill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hillin 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.