UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Hillier, denoting someone who lived on or near a hill.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Hilyer surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Willesden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hilyer is 117 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.3%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1901
117 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hilyer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hilyer surname density by area, 1911 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 | 59 | #22,756 |
| 1861 | historical | 71 | #24,765 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 117 | #20,830 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 59 | #31,734 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 57 | #32,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 61 | #32,039 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 62 | #32,214 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 57 | #33,178 |
| 2006 | modern | 59 | #33,330 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 60 | #33,743 |
| 2009 | modern | 55 | #34,355 |
| 2010 | modern | 48 | #34,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 48 | #34,926 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Willesden and Middlesborough. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Willesden | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Middlesborough | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hilyer 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 Hilyer, 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 Hilyer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hilyer 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, Hilyer 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 Hilyer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hilyer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HILYER has its roots in England, originating in the medieval period around the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "hil" and "hyrre," meaning hill and higher, respectively. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived on or near a hill or elevated area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Hilyer." This document was a survey of landowners in England, indicating that individuals with this surname were already established during that time.
The HILYER name has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Helier in Somerset and Higher in Derbyshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname, including Hillier, Hillyar, and Hillyer.
In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname HILYER was Sir John Hilyer (c. 1510-1583), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He played a significant role in the religious upheavals of the time, initially supporting the Catholic faith but later embracing Protestantism during the reign of Edward VI.
Another prominent individual was Sir Thomas Hilyer (1572-1634), an English merchant and diplomat who served as the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople. He was instrumental in negotiating trade agreements and promoting English interests in the region.
In the 18th century, the HILYER surname gained further recognition with the birth of Marmaduke Hilyer (1703-1784), an English clergyman and author. He wrote several theological works and served as the Rector of Marwood in Devon.
During the 19th century, one of the most notable figures with the HILYER surname was William Hilyer (1816-1892), a British artist and painter. He was renowned for his landscape paintings and was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1863.
Additionally, the HILYER name has been associated with various military figures throughout history, including Major General John Hilyer (1823-1899), who served in the British Army during the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.
While the HILYER surname has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, due to migration and exploration. The name continues to be prevalent today, carrying with it a rich history and connection to its medieval English roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hilyer 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Hilyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 23 | 3.47x |
| Gloucestershire | 12 | 9.23x |
| Surrey | 10 | 3.09x |
| Berkshire | 3 | 6.03x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 3.36x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.34x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 3.26x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.87x |
| Dorset | 1 | 2.30x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.51x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.76x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.74x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.19x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.13x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.36x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.60x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.89x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 8 Hilyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 8 | 79.76x |
| St Luke London | 8 | 75.19x |
| Hammersmith London | 5 | 30.60x |
| Clifton | 4 | 60.79x |
| Fulham London | 4 | 41.58x |
| Little Stanmore | 4 | 2000.00x |
| East Retford | 3 | 384.62x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 5.19x |
| Reading St Giles | 3 | 61.48x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 3 | 12.64x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 2 | 17.41x |
| Battersea | 2 | 8.20x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 6.94x |
| Frensham | 2 | 425.53x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.79x |
| Charlton Adam | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Charlton Marshall | 1 | 666.67x |
| Chigwell | 1 | 80.65x |
| Horley | 1 | 185.19x |
| Hove | 1 | 20.37x |
| Little Hulton | 1 | 76.92x |
| Sheepshed | 1 | 99.01x |
| Southampton St Michael | 1 | 222.22x |
| St Albans | 1 | 106.38x |
| Streatham | 1 | 20.33x |
| Thursley | 1 | 434.78x |
| Walcot | 1 | 17.57x |
| Westoe | 1 | 8.94x |
| Whilton | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hilyer 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 Hilyer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Hilyer surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Hilyer a modern rank of #34,287.
A variant spelling of the English surname Hillier, denoting someone who lived on or near a hill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hilyer 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.