NameCensus.

UK surname

Hillyer

One who lives on or near a hill or dwells in a hilly area.

In the 1881 census there were 860 people recorded with the Hillyer surname, ranking it #4,399 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 687, ranked #7,817, down from #4,399 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Woolverton and Hanslope. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kettering, Central Bedfordshire and Halton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hillyer is 1,025 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.1%.

1881 census count

860

Ranked #4,399

Modern count

687

2016, ranked #7,817

Peak year

1911

1,025 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hillyer had 860 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,399 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 687 in 2016, ranked #7,817.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,025 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hillyer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hillyer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hillyer 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 494 #5,061
1861 historical 507 #5,159
1881 historical 860 #4,399
1891 historical 846 #4,826
1901 historical 994 #4,789
1911 historical 1,025 #4,459
1997 modern 774 #6,716
1998 modern 791 #6,815
1999 modern 799 #6,799
2000 modern 793 #6,822
2001 modern 770 #6,842
2002 modern 764 #7,016
2003 modern 761 #6,927
2004 modern 743 #7,080
2005 modern 706 #7,283
2006 modern 704 #7,318
2007 modern 702 #7,405
2008 modern 708 #7,416
2009 modern 726 #7,418
2010 modern 719 #7,619
2011 modern 723 #7,512
2012 modern 703 #7,580
2013 modern 712 #7,632
2014 modern 723 #7,585
2015 modern 700 #7,710
2016 modern 687 #7,817

Geography

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Where Hillyers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Woolverton, Hanslope, Alfreton and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kettering, Central Bedfordshire and Halton. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Woolverton Northamptonshire
3 Hanslope Buckinghamshire
4 Alfreton Derbyshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kettering 003 Kettering
2 Central Bedfordshire 021 Central Bedfordshire
3 Kettering 002 Kettering
4 Halton 006 Halton
5 Kettering 005 Kettering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hillyer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hillyer

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hillyer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hillyer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hillyer is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Hillyer is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hillyer falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hillyer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hillyer

The surname Hillyer is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "hyll" meaning hill and "hyrde" meaning herdsman or keeper. It was initially an occupational surname given to those who tended livestock on the hillsides or lived in elevated areas. The name is believed to have emerged in the 11th century, around the time of the Norman Conquest of England.

One of the earliest known recordings of the Hillyer name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as "Hildierd" and "Hildier." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings throughout England.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, including "Hillyerde," "Hilliard," and "Hillyard." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time. During this period, the name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hillyer surname is that of William Hillyer, a landowner from Oxfordshire, who lived in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir Robert Hillyer, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was mentioned in historical records from the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the name took on its more modern spelling of "Hillyer." During this time, the surname was associated with several prominent individuals, including John Hillyer, a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral from 1561 to 1570.

The 17th century saw the rise of another notable Hillyer, Reverend Robert Hillyer, an English clergyman and author born in 1607. He is best known for his work "The Heavenly Arcadian," a collection of sermons published in 1668.

In the 19th century, the Hillyer name gained further recognition with the poet and critic Edmund Hillyer (1801-1872). He was a respected figure in literary circles and contributed to various publications, including the Quarterly Review and the Edinburgh Review.

Another notable figure from this era was Shaler Hillyer (1834-1919), an American lawyer and politician who served as the Assistant Secretary of State under President Ulysses S. Grant. He played a significant role in the resolution of the Alabama Claims dispute with Great Britain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hillyer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hillyer 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. Surrey leads with 147 Hillyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.58x.

County Total Index
Surrey 147 3.58x
Hampshire 110 6.38x
Middlesex 101 1.20x
Buckinghamshire 91 17.88x
Northamptonshire 83 10.48x
Sussex 53 3.73x
Kent 48 1.67x
Dorset 37 6.70x
Gloucestershire 25 1.51x
Leicestershire 24 2.57x
Somerset 21 1.55x
Derbyshire 17 1.29x
Lancashire 14 0.14x
Essex 13 0.78x
Berkshire 12 1.90x
Cheshire 11 0.59x
Wiltshire 10 1.34x
Bedfordshire 9 2.06x
Monmouthshire 8 1.31x
Suffolk 8 0.78x
Staffordshire 4 0.14x
Devon 3 0.17x
Rutland 3 4.85x
Hertfordshire 2 0.34x
Royal Navy 2 1.99x
Warwickshire 2 0.09x
Midlothian 1 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.19x
Shropshire 1 0.14x
Worcestershire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hanslope in Buckinghamshire leads with 43 Hillyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 940.92x.

Place Total Index
Hanslope 43 940.92x
Portsea 30 8.87x
Bramshott 23 539.91x
Kingston On Thames 20 20.30x
Islington London 18 2.21x
Alfreton 17 42.46x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 16 10.29x
Cosgrove 16 874.32x
Mile End Old Town London 16 8.93x
Stoke 16 82.64x
Lambeth 14 1.91x
Maidstone 14 16.36x
Blandford Forum 13 119.27x
Brighton 13 4.54x
Gillingham 13 136.99x
Newport Pagnell 13 122.18x
Kirdford 11 223.12x
Wolverton 11 104.46x
Battersea 10 3.23x
Deptford St Paul 10 4.51x
Droxford 10 151.98x
East Horsley 10 1190.48x
Elstead 10 507.61x
Gayton 10 602.41x
Leicester St Margaret 10 4.39x
Sevenoaks 10 42.94x
Sheepshed 10 78.19x
Byfleet 9 246.58x
Northampton Priory St 9 18.94x
West Ham 9 2.45x
Camberwell 8 1.49x
North Cadbury 8 308.88x
Pattishall 8 304.18x
St Woollos 8 11.78x
Stoke Goldington 8 343.35x
Widnes 8 11.10x
Woking 8 32.36x
Bedford St Peter 7 61.84x
Bury St Edmunds St James 7 25.56x
Hartwell 7 486.11x
Reading St Giles 7 11.29x
Rotherhithe 7 6.73x
Shanklin 7 136.19x
St Marylebone London 7 1.56x
Towcester 7 85.68x
Broadwater 6 18.43x
Dukinfield 6 6.99x
Ealing 6 7.98x
Enfield 6 10.86x
Hampstead London 6 4.58x
Minehead 6 117.19x
Salford 6 2.04x
St Pancras London 6 0.89x
Stony Stratford East 6 287.08x
Worthing 6 382.17x
Castle Thorpe 5 526.32x
Corsham 5 46.04x
Epsom 5 25.01x
Farnborough 5 27.59x
Fisherton Anger 5 36.28x
Fulham London 5 4.10x
Lewisham 5 3.26x
Monks Coppenhall 5 7.13x
Nutfield 5 161.29x
Passenham 5 153.85x
Provost Stour 5 450.45x
Pucklechurch 5 134.41x
Soberton 5 157.73x
Hastings St Clement 4 29.94x
Havant 4 45.77x
Lyncombe Widcombe 4 11.27x
Newington 4 1.29x
Scaldwell 4 404.04x
St George Hanover Square 4 2.70x
Streatham 4 6.40x
West Bromwich 4 2.46x
Whilton 4 392.16x
Woolwich 4 3.77x
Spitalfields London 3 4.74x
Winkfield 3 28.60x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 68
George 39
Henry 27
John 24
James 22
Thomas 22
Frederick 16
Joseph 16
Charles 15
Alfred 13
Arthur 12
Edward 12
Albert 11
Harry 10
Walter 8
Frank 6
Richard 6
Edwin 5
Fredrick 4
Reuben 4
Samuel 4
Benjamin 3
Ernest 3
Herbert 3
Robert 3
Stephen 3
Wm. 3
Andrew 2
Bernard 2
David 2
Felix 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Isaac 2
Jesse 2
Noah 2
Willie 2
Archie 1
Arther 1
Chas 1
Clarence 1
Daniel 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
G. 1
Hy.Thomas 1
Jonas 1
Leonard 1
Liberty 1
Lovel 1

FAQ

Hillyer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hillyer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 860 people were recorded with the Hillyer surname. That placed it at #4,399 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hillyer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 687 in 2016. That gives Hillyer a modern rank of #7,817.

What does the Hillyer surname mean?

One who lives on or near a hill or dwells in a hilly area.

What does the Hillyer map show?

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