UK surname
A habitational surname likely derived from a placename meaning "of Hingen" or "from Hingen."
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Hinger surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Bridge and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hinger is 125 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.5%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
125 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hinger surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hinger 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 | 25 | #28,853 |
| 1861 | historical | 125 | #17,678 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 9 | #33,154 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Bridge, Wigan, Manchester and Portland. 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 | Lancaster Borough | Lancashire |
| 2 | Bridge | Kent |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Portland | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hinger 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 Hinger, 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 Hinger surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hinger 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, Hinger 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 Hinger is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hinger, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HINGER is believed to have originated in Germany, with the earliest records dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the German word "hingen," which means "to hang" or "to suspend." This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname, likely given to someone who worked as a hangman or executioner.
One of the earliest known references to the surname HINGER can be found in the town records of Nuremberg, where a Hans HINGER was listed as a citizen in the year 1532. Another early record mentions a Jacob HINGER, who was a baker in the town of Augsburg in the late 1500s.
In the 17th century, the name HINGER began to appear in various church records and municipal archives across southern Germany. For instance, a Johannes HINGER was recorded as a landowner in the village of Heidenheim in 1637, while a family by the name of HINGER was documented as living in the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the 1670s.
One notable bearer of the HINGER surname was Georg HINGER, a German scholar and theologian who lived from 1585 to 1647. He was a professor at the University of Tübingen and wrote several influential works on theology and church history.
Another individual of note was Johann Michael HINGER, a German painter and engraver who was active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is best known for his religious paintings and engravings, which can be found in churches and museums across Germany.
In the 19th century, the HINGER surname began to spread beyond Germany, with some families emigrating to other parts of Europe and even to the United States. One such individual was Karl HINGER, a German-born businessman who settled in Philadelphia in the 1860s and established a successful import-export company.
While the HINGER surname is not as common as some others, it has a rich history and can be traced back to its origins in 16th-century Germany. The name is a reminder of the diverse occupations and backgrounds that have shaped the development of surnames over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hinger 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 7 Hingers recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.60x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 7 | 66.60x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 1.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Balderton in Nottinghamshire leads with 7 Hingers recorded in 1881 and an index of 23333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Balderton | 7 | 23333.33x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 23.04x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hinger 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 Hinger surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Hinger a modern rank of #38,594.
A habitational surname likely derived from a placename meaning "of Hingen" or "from Hingen."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hinger 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.