NameCensus.

UK surname

Hollier

An English occupational surname for a person who made or sold horse collars or halters.

In the 1881 census there were 595 people recorded with the Hollier surname, ranking it #5,878 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 598, ranked #8,735, down from #5,878 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, Wycombe and Harborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hollier is 755 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.5%.

1881 census count

595

Ranked #5,878

Modern count

598

2016, ranked #8,735

Peak year

1911

755 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hollier had 595 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,878 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 598 in 2016, ranked #8,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 755 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hollier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hollier surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hollier 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 387 #6,204
1861 historical 418 #6,146
1881 historical 595 #5,878
1891 historical 658 #5,904
1901 historical 739 #6,003
1911 historical 755 #5,717
1997 modern 594 #8,208
1998 modern 626 #8,144
1999 modern 624 #8,215
2000 modern 636 #8,069
2001 modern 623 #8,048
2002 modern 641 #8,044
2003 modern 632 #7,994
2004 modern 625 #8,092
2005 modern 615 #8,113
2006 modern 613 #8,151
2007 modern 623 #8,114
2008 modern 603 #8,382
2009 modern 611 #8,478
2010 modern 621 #8,553
2011 modern 618 #8,490
2012 modern 597 #8,640
2013 modern 617 #8,548
2014 modern 615 #8,628
2015 modern 601 #8,723
2016 modern 598 #8,735

Geography

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Where Holliers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe, London parishes, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Sydenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, Wycombe, Harborough, East Staffordshire and North Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe Somerset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 Sydenham Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 001 Bristol, City of
2 Wycombe 007 Wycombe
3 Harborough 002 Harborough
4 East Staffordshire 004 East Staffordshire
5 North Somerset 010 North Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hollier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hollier

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hollier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hollier 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Hollier is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hollier is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hollier falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hollier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hollier

The surname HOLLIER has its origins in England, dating back to the late medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "holh," meaning a hollow or deep valley, combined with the suffix "-ier," indicating a person who lived in or near a particular location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1273, where a person named William le Holiere is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Holliar, Holiar, and Hollyer, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. One notable mention is in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1332, which lists a John Hollyere among the taxpayers.

The Hollier surname is also connected to several place names in England, including Hollier's Hill in Oxfordshire and Hollier's Green in Staffordshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Hollier surname who resided in or owned land in those areas.

Among the notable historical figures with the Hollier surname is Sir John Hollier (1520-1589), a wealthy merchant and alderman of London who served as the Lord Mayor of the city in 1588-1589. Another prominent individual was Hubert Hollier (1578-1637), a distinguished lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.

In the 17th century, the Hollier family gained prominence in the county of Somerset, where several members held positions of importance. One such individual was William Hollier (1635-1701), who served as the High Sheriff of Somerset in 1689.

During the 18th century, the surname spread beyond England, with records indicating Hollier families settling in various parts of the British Empire, including North America and the Caribbean.

Other notable individuals bearing the Hollier surname include Robert Hollier (1811-1886), a notable British architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London, and Charles Hollier (1848-1935), a prominent Australian politician and member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hollier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hollier 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. Somerset leads with 94 Holliers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.11x.

County Total Index
Somerset 94 10.11x
Warwickshire 77 5.29x
Staffordshire 61 3.13x
Gloucestershire 43 3.80x
Leicestershire 43 6.72x
Oxfordshire 40 11.22x
Middlesex 32 0.55x
Surrey 28 1.00x
Wiltshire 19 3.72x
Buckinghamshire 18 5.16x
Worcestershire 18 2.39x
Hampshire 17 1.44x
Cheshire 13 1.02x
Kent 12 0.61x
Northumberland 9 1.05x
Carmarthenshire 8 3.29x
Northamptonshire 8 1.47x
Shropshire 8 1.60x
Durham 6 0.35x
Berkshire 4 0.92x
Essex 4 0.35x
Hertfordshire 4 1.00x
Derbyshire 3 0.33x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.39x
Brecknockshire 2 1.73x
Glamorgan 2 0.20x
Lancashire 2 0.03x
Midlothian 2 0.26x
Monmouthshire 2 0.48x
Rutland 2 4.72x
Cornwall 1 0.15x
Devon 1 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.87x
Norfolk 1 0.11x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.54x
Royal Navy 1 1.45x
Sussex 1 0.10x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 32 Holliers recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.59x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 32 6.59x
Aston 21 5.24x
Burrington 16 1777.78x
Lambeth 15 2.98x
Tipton 15 25.13x
West Bromwich 14 12.55x
Bedminster 13 14.88x
Blagdon 13 663.27x
Lowesby 13 4642.86x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 12 11.25x
Studley 12 192.62x
Sydenham 12 1714.29x
Churchill 10 675.68x
Congresbury 10 423.73x
Harlington 10 328.95x
Stratton St Margaret 10 127.71x
Bourton On The Hill 9 1000.00x
Lydney 9 153.85x
Portsea 9 3.88x
Wolstanton Chesterton 9 90.36x
Burbage 8 239.52x
Clifton 8 13.97x
Llanelly 8 14.59x
Monks Coppenhall 8 16.63x
Poulshot 8 1194.03x
Banwell 7 206.49x
Burton Upon Trent 7 15.35x
Greenwich 7 7.61x
Madeley 7 144.03x
Rodney Stoke 7 1093.75x
Buckingham 6 84.51x
Byker 6 14.13x
Cheddar 6 128.21x
Islington London 6 1.07x
Wollaston 6 125.52x
Bilston 5 13.23x
Croydon 5 3.20x
Dudley 5 5.45x
Harrow 5 56.63x
Higham On The Hill 5 561.80x
Kings Norton 5 7.39x
Langley Marish 5 116.55x
Moulton 5 427.35x
Sharnford 5 549.45x
Shrewsbury St Chad 5 28.56x
Aylesbury 4 25.86x
Chalcombe 4 454.55x
Deptford St Paul 4 2.63x
Over Worton 4 3333.33x
Sibson 4 526.32x
West Ham 4 1.59x
Barford St Michael 3 508.47x
Benwell 3 31.95x
Bushey 3 31.65x
Camberwell 3 0.81x
Gt Milton 3 250.00x
Lewknor 3 285.71x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.44x
Oswestry Rural 3 39.27x
Priston 3 588.24x
Simpson 3 205.48x
St Helens 3 34.88x
Sunderland 3 9.89x
Walton On Trent 3 340.91x
Banbury 2 28.01x
Bishopwearmouth 2 1.36x
Chale 2 148.15x
Deddington 2 51.68x
Everdon 2 178.57x
Hinckley 2 13.17x
Lenton 2 10.91x
Llanelly 2 14.47x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 2 25.13x
Market Bosworth 2 86.58x
Meriden 2 121.21x
Penarth 2 20.35x
Reading St Giles 2 4.70x
Shuttington 2 487.80x
Stoneleigh 2 82.64x
Tilehurst 2 22.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 36
Sarah 27
Elizabeth 22
Emma 15
Emily 12
Eliza 11
Annie 9
Jane 9
Harriet 8
Ann 7
Charlotte 7
Martha 7
Amelia 6
Caroline 6
Ellen 6
Maria 6
Agnes 5
Alice 4
Edith 4
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Lilly 4
Louisa 4
Ada 3
Esther 3
Frances 3
Kate 3
Laura 3
Minnie 3
Rosina 3
Winifred 3
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Helen 2
Isabella 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Rhoda 2
Rose 2
Sharlet 2
Bertha 1
Bridget 1
Eliz. 1
Elizabath 1
Elizth. 1
Isabel 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 22
Thomas 20
James 18
George 15
Henry 15
Edward 13
Joseph 12
Charles 10
Walter 9
Albert 7
Frederick 7
Ernest 5
Robert 5
Edwin 4
Elliott 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Frank 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Ambrose 2
Amos 2
Francis 2
Hubert 2
Leon 2
Tom 2
Alpheus 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Cecil 1
Charlie 1
Eden 1
Edgar 1
Eli 1
Elizebath 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Fred 1
Jabez 1
Jame 1
Jessie 1
Lambert 1
Levi 1
Mark 1
Moses 1
Oscar 1
Patrick 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Hollier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hollier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 595 people were recorded with the Hollier surname. That placed it at #5,878 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hollier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 598 in 2016. That gives Hollier a modern rank of #8,735.

What does the Hollier surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a person who made or sold horse collars or halters.

What does the Hollier map show?

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