UK surname
An English locational surname referring to a hilltop enclosure or yard.
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Hilyard surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Fingringhoe, East Donyland, Lewisham and Chertsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hilyard is 130 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.8%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1851
130 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hilyard surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hilyard 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 | 130 | #14,314 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 49 | #30,349 |
| 1901 | historical | 87 | #24,386 |
| 1911 | historical | 20 | #31,288 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 16 | #36,361 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 17 | #36,207 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 14 | #36,484 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Fingringhoe, East Donyland, Lewisham, Chertsey, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Gayton. 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 | Fingringhoe, East Donyland | Essex |
| 2 | Lewisham | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Chertsey | Surrey |
| 4 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| 5 | Gayton | Northamptonshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hilyard 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 Hilyard, 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 Hilyard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hilyard 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, Hilyard 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 Hilyard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hilyard, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hilyard originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in the county of Somerset. It is derived from the Old English words "hil" meaning hill and "geard" meaning yard or enclosure, essentially referring to a dwelling or farm located on a hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Hildegard, which is believed to be an early variation of the Hilyard surname.
During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Hilliard, Hiliard, and Hylliard in historical records from Somerset and neighboring counties. The village of Hilliard, located in Somerset, is thought to be a place name associated with the surname, suggesting that early bearers of the name may have originated from or lived in this area.
Notable individuals with the surname Hilyard throughout history include:
1. William Hilyard (c. 1495 - c. 1560), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in the 16th century.
2. John Hilyard (1558 - 1609), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of King James I for his religious beliefs.
3. Sarah Hilyard (1672 - 1735), an English philanthropist and benefactor who established several charitable organizations in London.
4. Thomas Hilyard (1718 - 1793), a British Army officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
5. William Hilyard (1786 - 1867), an English architect known for his work on several prominent buildings in London, including the Royal Exchange and the Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill.
The Hilyard surname has endured through the centuries, with various spellings and variations emerging over time, but its roots can be traced back to the hill farms and dwellings of medieval Somerset.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hilyard 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. Yorkshire leads with 14 Hilyards recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 14 | 1.81x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.54x |
| Nottinghamshire | 10 | 9.51x |
| Essex | 9 | 5.84x |
| Bedfordshire | 8 | 19.80x |
| Northamptonshire | 7 | 9.54x |
| Oxfordshire | 6 | 12.45x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 3.13x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 7.44x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.13x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 2.02x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 10 Hilyards recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham St Mary | 10 | 36.76x |
| Lexden | 8 | 1290.32x |
| Bloxham | 6 | 1276.60x |
| Sutton | 5 | 568.18x |
| Goldington | 4 | 2666.67x |
| Islington London | 4 | 5.29x |
| Leeds | 4 | 9.16x |
| Offley | 4 | 1142.86x |
| Portsea | 4 | 12.76x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 14.61x |
| Holbeck | 3 | 58.59x |
| Roade | 3 | 1578.95x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 4.78x |
| Wellingborough | 3 | 81.30x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 5.90x |
| Lidlington | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Luton | 2 | 28.61x |
| All Saints Cambridge | 1 | 285.71x |
| Bridlington | 1 | 56.50x |
| Freshwater | 1 | 136.99x |
| Rushall | 1 | 64.52x |
| Sandal Magna | 1 | 87.72x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.40x |
| Towcester | 1 | 131.58x |
| Towerof London London | 1 | 400.00x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.94x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 26.60x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hilyard 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 Hilyard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Hilyard surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Hilyard a modern rank of #37,705.
An English locational surname referring to a hilltop enclosure or yard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hilyard 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.