NameCensus.

UK surname

Hirsch

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname meaning "deer" or "stag," often referring to someone of a timid nature.

In the 1881 census there were 144 people recorded with the Hirsch surname, ranking it #15,891 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 411, ranked #11,654, up from #15,891 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Paddington and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Haringey and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hirsch is 439 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 185.4%.

1881 census count

144

Ranked #15,891

Modern count

411

2016, ranked #11,654

Peak year

2010

439 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hirsch had 144 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,891 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016, ranked #11,654.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 307 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Hirsch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hirsch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hirsch 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 144 #15,891
1891 historical 176 #16,404
1901 historical 307 #11,472
1911 historical 236 #13,452
1997 modern 355 #12,040
1998 modern 362 #12,259
1999 modern 373 #12,054
2000 modern 371 #12,052
2001 modern 369 #11,928
2002 modern 382 #11,839
2003 modern 391 #11,441
2004 modern 396 #11,372
2005 modern 397 #11,250
2006 modern 396 #11,338
2007 modern 409 #11,182
2008 modern 409 #11,271
2009 modern 416 #11,364
2010 modern 439 #11,121
2011 modern 434 #11,096
2012 modern 425 #11,157
2013 modern 419 #11,511
2014 modern 423 #11,488
2015 modern 415 #11,583
2016 modern 411 #11,654

Geography

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Where Hirschs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Paddington, Manchester and St John Hampstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, Haringey and Barnet. 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 1
2 Paddington London (West Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St John Hampstead London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 001 Hackney
2 Haringey 029 Haringey
3 Hackney 029 Hackney
4 Barnet 038 Barnet
5 Barnet 034 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hirsch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hirsch

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Hirsch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Hirsch 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hirsch 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

Hirsch is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hirsch falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hirsch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Hirsch

The surname Hirsch originates from the German language and refers to a male deer or stag. It likely started as a descriptive nickname or an occupational name for someone who hunted or worked with deer. The name can be traced back to the Middle High German period, around 1050-1350 CE, and was commonly found in areas of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Hirsch appears in the Codex Traditionum of the Benedictine abbey of Ebersberg in Bavaria, dated around 1150. This document mentions a "Sigehardus Hirz" as a witness to a land transaction. The spelling "Hirz" was a common variant in the Middle Ages.

In the 13th century, the name Hirsch is found in various records from the Rhine region, such as the Urkundenbuch der Stadt Strassburg (Book of Records of the City of Strasbourg). This suggests the name was well-established in this area during that time.

One notable bearer of the name was Johannes Hirsch, a German theologian and reformer who lived from around 1460 to 1527. He was a prominent figure in the early years of the Protestant Reformation and a close associate of Martin Luther.

Another individual with the surname Hirsch was Samson Raphael Hirsch, a renowned German rabbi and scholar who lived from 1808 to 1888. He was a leading figure in the development of modern Orthodox Judaism and the founder of the Hirsch Yeshiva in Frankfurt.

In the realm of literature, the name Hirsch is associated with Maurice Hirsch, a French writer and journalist born in 1833. He was a prolific author and contributor to various publications, including the Revue des Deux Mondes.

The surname Hirsch also has connections to place names, such as Hirschhorn, a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which translates to "Deer's Horn." This suggests that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

Throughout history, the surname Hirsch has been found across various regions of Europe, particularly in German-speaking areas, and has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, religious leaders, and writers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hirsch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hirsch 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. Middlesex leads with 67 Hirschs recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.77x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 67 4.77x
Surrey 28 4.09x
Lancashire 21 1.26x
Yorkshire 7 0.50x
Lincolnshire 5 2.23x
Cheshire 4 1.29x
Warwickshire 4 1.13x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.58x
Wiltshire 2 1.61x
Kent 1 0.21x
Somerset 1 0.44x
Stirlingshire 1 1.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 18 Hirschs recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.85x.

Place Total Index
Paddington London 18 34.85x
Battersea 11 21.28x
Moss Side 11 125.43x
Westminster St James 10 69.25x
Hampstead London 8 36.56x
Shoreditch London 7 11.50x
Camberwell 6 6.69x
Hackney London 5 6.35x
Leeds 5 6.36x
St Maryle Wigford 5 287.36x
Edgbaston 4 36.43x
Lambeth 4 3.27x
Whitechapel London 4 28.88x
Everton 3 5.65x
Islington London 3 2.20x
Kingston On Thames 3 18.25x
Lytham 3 118.11x
North Meols 3 18.39x
Nottingham St Mary 3 6.13x
Birkenhead 2 8.09x
Bowdon 2 162.60x
Bromley London 2 6.47x
Clapham 2 11.39x
Kensington London 2 2.56x
Mile End Old Town London 2 6.69x
Potter Newton 2 81.30x
Purton 2 180.18x
St Marylebone London 2 2.67x
St Pancras London 2 1.77x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.64x
Caterham 1 33.00x
Ditcheat 1 256.41x
Edmonton 1 8.83x
Godalming 1 23.20x
Liverpool 1 0.99x
Stirling 1 15.31x
Woolwich 1 5.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Florence 3
Annie 2
Esther 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Mary 2
Rose 2
Anna 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ella 1
Emilie 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Frederica 1
Gertrude 1
Gita 1
H.M. 1
Hedwig 1
Hepsibah 1
Jane 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Julie 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lina 1
Mabel 1
Magdalene 1
Maria 1
Marie 1
Minnie 1
Miriam 1
Olive 1
Rita 1
Rosalie 1
Theophilie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 4
Adolph 3
Charles 3
John 3
Joseph 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Bernhart 2
Ferdinand 2
Herman 2
Hermann 2
Karl 2
Louis 2
Alexander 1
Alf. 1
Alvis 1
Arthur 1
B.C. 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Christe 1
David 1
Emil 1
Ernest 1
Etienne 1
Eugene 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fritzy 1
George 1
Gottlish 1
Gustav 1
James 1
L. 1
Leonard 1
Leopold 1
Ludwig 1
Martin 1
Max 1
Moritz 1
Moses 1
Oscar 1
Otto 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Samuel 1
Simon 1
Solly 1
Thomas 1
William 1

FAQ

Hirsch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hirsch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 144 people were recorded with the Hirsch surname. That placed it at #15,891 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hirsch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016. That gives Hirsch a modern rank of #11,654.

What does the Hirsch surname mean?

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname meaning "deer" or "stag," often referring to someone of a timid nature.

What does the Hirsch map show?

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