UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the German word for "herdsman" or "shepherd".
In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Hirth surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #33,110 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Glossop, Otley and Halifax. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hirth is 161 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 420.0%.
1881 census count
5
Ranked #33,110
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
161 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hirth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hirth 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 161 | #14,392 |
| 1881 | historical | 5 | #33,110 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 6 | #33,591 |
| 1911 | historical | 12 | #32,302 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 26 | #35,295 |
| 2001 | modern | 25 | #35,248 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 19 | #36,450 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 23 | #36,369 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 30 | #36,005 |
| 2015 | modern | 30 | #35,979 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Glossop, Otley, Halifax, London parishes and Featherstone. 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 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Otley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Featherstone | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hirth 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 Hirth, 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 Hirth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hirth 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, Hirth 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 Hirth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hirth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hirth originates from Germany and has its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "hird," which means "herd" or "flock," suggesting that the name may have originated from an occupation or location associated with livestock or shepherding.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hirth can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the former Kingdom of Saxony, dating back to the 12th century. This suggests that the name was already in use during this time period in the region of modern-day Germany.
In the 14th century, the name Hirth appeared in the records of the town of Nuremberg, where a family with this surname owned a farm and was involved in agricultural activities. This further reinforces the connection between the name and its potential origin related to livestock or farming.
The name Hirth has also been associated with various place names throughout Germany. For example, there is a town called Hirth in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which may have influenced the surname's development in that region.
One notable figure bearing the surname Hirth was Friedrich Hirth (1845-1927), a German sinologist and diplomat who served as the German consul in various East Asian countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He made significant contributions to the study of Chinese culture and language.
Another prominent individual with this surname was Georg Hirth (1841-1916), a German geographer and explorer who conducted extensive research in Central Asia and made valuable contributions to the understanding of the region's geography and ethnography.
In the field of art, the German painter and printmaker Georg Hirth (1908-1998) gained recognition for his contributions to the Expressionist movement in the mid-20th century.
The Hirth family also played a role in the aerospace industry, with Walter Hirth (1888-1958) being a German aircraft engine designer and manufacturer who founded the Hirth Motoren company in the 1920s.
Additionally, the name Hirth has been associated with the literary world through individuals like Friedrich Hirth (1800-1888), a German writer and literary critic who published works on German literature and culture.
Throughout its history, the surname Hirth has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Germany, reflecting its origins and the diversity of individuals who have carried this name over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hirth 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 3 Hirths recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.24x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 2 Hirths recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 2 | 94.79x |
| Keighley | 1 | 196.08x |
| Linthorpe | 1 | 344.83x |
| Scarborough | 1 | 227.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hirth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Hirth surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Hirth a modern rank of #36,254.
An occupational surname derived from the German word for "herdsman" or "shepherd".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hirth 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.