UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name possibly related to the Old English words "ham" meaning home and "bær" meaning hill.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Himber surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2013, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,008, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newbury, Donhead St Mary, Donhead St Andrew, Berwick St John and Auckland St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Himber is 151 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.5%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
1
2013, ranked #39,008
Peak year
1861
151 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Himber surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Himber 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 | 11 | #31,309 |
| 1861 | historical | 151 | #15,209 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 41 | #31,095 |
| 1901 | historical | 5 | #33,728 |
| 1911 | historical | 9 | #32,754 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newbury, Donhead St Mary, Donhead St Andrew, Berwick St John, Auckland St Andrew, Winchester Milland and Bampton (Brighthamton, Shifford, Aston and Cote, Bampton, Weald, Chimney), Witney (Lew), Blackbourto. 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 | Newbury | Berkshire |
| 2 | Donhead St Mary, Donhead St Andrew, Berwick St John | Wiltshire |
| 3 | Auckland St Andrew | Durham |
| 4 | Winchester Milland | Hampshire |
| 5 | Bampton (Brighthamton, Shifford, Aston and Cote, Bampton, Weald, Chimney), Witney (Lew), Blackbourto | Oxfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Himber 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 Himber, 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 Himber surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Himber 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, Himber 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 Himber is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Himber, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Himber is of German origin, traced back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It originated from the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where the name was derived from the Old High German word "himber," meaning "raspberry." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been associated with the cultivation or trade of raspberries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Himber surname can be found in the Bavarian town records of Augsburg, dating back to the year 1327, where a certain Heinricus Himber is mentioned as a landowner and farmer. The name also appears in various legal documents and tax registers from the 14th and 15th centuries in the regions of Saxony and Thuringia.
The Himber surname gained prominence during the Renaissance period, with several notable figures bearing this name. Johan Himber (1492-1562) was a renowned scholar and theologian from Leipzig, who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He authored numerous treatises on theology and was a close associate of Martin Luther.
Another prominent individual with the Himber surname was Katharina Himber (1525-1598), a noblewoman and landowner from Saxony. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support of the arts and education in her region.
In the 17th century, the Himber family had established itself as a respected lineage in the city of Nuremberg. Christoph Himber (1612-1678) was a successful merchant and banker who served as a city councilor in Nuremberg. His son, Johann Himber (1645-1712), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the city's commercial circles.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Himber surname continued to be associated with various notable figures, including artists, scholars, and military officers. One such individual was Friedrich Himber (1787-1856), a Prussian general who served with distinction in the Napoleonic Wars.
The origins of the Himber surname can be traced back to the medieval period in Germany, where it was likely derived from a connection to the cultivation or trade of raspberries. Over the centuries, the name has been borne by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including theology, commerce, and military service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Himber 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 5 Himbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.42x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 5 | 25.42x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 12.51x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 1.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 5 Himbers recorded in 1881 and an index of 76.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 5 | 76.22x |
| Fordingbridge | 2 | 2222.22x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 15.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Himber surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Himber surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2013. That gives Himber a modern rank of #39,008.
A locational surname derived from a place name possibly related to the Old English words "ham" meaning home and "bær" meaning hill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Himber 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.