UK surname
A surname derived from a variation of the German word "Hohe" meaning hill or mountain.
In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Hoben surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 66, ranked #33,948, down from #26,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth and Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hoben is 108 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.4%.
1881 census count
51
Ranked #26,428
Modern count
66
2016, ranked #33,948
Peak year
1891
108 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hoben surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hoben surname density by area, 1891 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 | 31 | #27,734 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 51 | #26,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 91 | #23,921 |
| 1911 | historical | 84 | #24,442 |
| 1997 | modern | 72 | #30,415 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 69 | #31,223 |
| 2000 | modern | 70 | #31,180 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 70 | #31,486 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 55 | #33,965 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 58 | #34,144 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 62 | #34,155 |
| 2013 | modern | 65 | #34,059 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 68 | #33,854 |
| 2016 | modern | 66 | #33,948 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace, Gateshead and Edinburgh. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth | Cambridgeshire |
| 3 | Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace | Shropshire |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hoben 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 Hoben, 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 Hoben surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hoben 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, Hoben 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 Hoben is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hoben, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HOBEN is of English origin and dates back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hoben," meaning a small hill or mound. The name was initially found in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk, where it was likely used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small hill or mound.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the HOBEN surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk from 1195, which mentions a person named Robert Hoben. The surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a certain William Hoben.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, variations of the HOBEN surname began to emerge, such as Hobbyn, Hobyn, and Hobben. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.
In the 16th century, the HOBEN surname was associated with several notable individuals. One such person was John Hoben, a clergyman and author who lived from 1499 to 1554. He was known for his work "The Book of Matrimony," which was published in 1543.
Another significant figure with the HOBEN surname was Thomas Hoben, a merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in the city of York. He lived from 1520 to 1588 and was involved in the lucrative wool trade between England and the Low Countries.
In the 17th century, the HOBEN surname was found in various parts of England, including the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Essex. One notable individual from this period was Richard Hoben, a landowner and justice of the peace in Oxfordshire, who lived from 1625 to 1703.
The 18th century saw the emergence of several HOBEN families in the American colonies. One such family was that of John Hoben, who was born in England in 1710 and later emigrated to Virginia, where he established a successful plantation.
In the 19th century, the HOBEN surname continued to be found throughout England and the United States. One notable figure from this period was William Hoben, an English writer and journalist who lived from 1825 to 1892. He was known for his work on various publications, including The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hoben 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. Lancashire leads with 9 Hobens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.53x |
| Cumberland | 8 | 18.69x |
| Durham | 7 | 4.73x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 4.78x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.01x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.81x |
| Essex | 3 | 3.06x |
| Cambridgeshire | 2 | 6.35x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 2.52x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.91x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.35x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.49x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.60x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitehaven in Cumberland leads with 8 Hobens recorded in 1881 and an index of 350.88x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehaven | 8 | 350.88x |
| Trimdon | 7 | 1346.15x |
| Birmingham | 6 | 14.36x |
| Hulme | 5 | 40.58x |
| Shoreditch London | 5 | 23.20x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 11.16x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 3 | 31.06x |
| Loughton | 3 | 612.24x |
| Pinchbeck | 2 | 392.16x |
| Witcham | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Barnsley | 1 | 19.69x |
| Blacon Cum Crabwall | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Carlton | 1 | 131.58x |
| Ditchling | 1 | 434.78x |
| Leek Lowe | 1 | 44.84x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 1 | 26.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hoben 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 Hoben surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Hoben surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 66 in 2016. That gives Hoben a modern rank of #33,948.
A surname derived from a variation of the German word "Hohe" meaning hill or mountain.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hoben 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.