NameCensus.

UK surname

Hosier

An occupational surname referring to one who made or sold stockings and socks.

In the 1881 census there were 398 people recorded with the Hosier surname, ranking it #7,996 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 477, ranked #10,344, down from #7,996 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Oxford City: St Giles, St George in the East and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Dacorum and Watford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hosier is 571 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.8%.

1881 census count

398

Ranked #7,996

Modern count

477

2016, ranked #10,344

Peak year

1999

571 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hosier had 398 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,996 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 477 in 2016, ranked #10,344.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 545 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Hosier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hosier surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Hosier 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 241 #9,037
1861 historical 239 #10,273
1881 historical 398 #7,996
1891 historical 411 #8,675
1901 historical 512 #7,918
1911 historical 545 #7,342
1997 modern 502 #9,273
1998 modern 542 #9,028
1999 modern 571 #8,726
2000 modern 551 #8,930
2001 modern 538 #8,950
2002 modern 566 #8,788
2003 modern 554 #8,788
2004 modern 541 #8,964
2005 modern 517 #9,217
2006 modern 510 #9,342
2007 modern 509 #9,443
2008 modern 506 #9,548
2009 modern 516 #9,614
2010 modern 532 #9,604
2011 modern 510 #9,805
2012 modern 491 #10,013
2013 modern 500 #10,023
2014 modern 506 #9,991
2015 modern 485 #10,233
2016 modern 477 #10,344

Geography

Back to top

Where Hosiers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Oxford City: St Giles, St George in the East, London parishes, Lambeth and Hemel Hempstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Dacorum and Watford. 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 Oxford City: St Giles Oxfordshire
2 St George in the East London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 029 Wiltshire
2 Dacorum 008 Dacorum
3 Dacorum 007 Dacorum
4 Dacorum 020 Dacorum
5 Watford 003 Watford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Hosier

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Hosier

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Hosier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Hosier household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Hosier is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hosier is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hosier 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 Hosier 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 Hosier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hosier

The surname Hosier is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "hoisier," which means a hosier or a maker and seller of hose (stockings or tights). The name is closely related to the Old English word "hosan," meaning hose or stockings.

The surname Hosier was initially found in London and the surrounding areas, where the hosiers' trade was concentrated. In the medieval period, hosiers were skilled craftsmen who produced and sold hose, which were essential garments for both men and women.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hosier appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a Hugo le Hossyer is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls were a series of administrative records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I.

In the 14th century, the name Hosier appears in the Patent Rolls of 1361, where a John Hosyer is recorded as receiving a royal pardon. The Patent Rolls were official records of the English Crown, documenting grants, commissions, and other legal instruments.

During the 16th century, the surname Hosier was found in various parts of England, including London, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this period was William Hosier (c. 1510-1588), a mercer and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London.

In the 17th century, the name Hosier gained prominence with Sir Francis Hosier (1665-1727), an English naval officer who served in the War of the Spanish Succession. He is remembered for his failed attempt to capture Porto Bello in Panama, which led to his death and the loss of many lives due to disease.

Another notable figure from the 18th century was Admiral Sir Edward Hosier (1694-1755), who was a British naval officer and Member of Parliament. He served in the Royal Navy and was involved in various naval campaigns during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

In the 19th century, the surname Hosier continued to be found in various parts of England, with instances of the name appearing in records from Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. One notable individual from this period was Henry Hosier (1840-1916), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

While the surname Hosier has its origins in the hosiers' trade, it has since become a widespread surname found in various parts of the English-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Hosier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hosier 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 104 Hosiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.68x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 104 2.68x
Hertfordshire 62 23.17x
Oxfordshire 52 21.69x
Surrey 40 2.11x
Somerset 20 3.20x
Wiltshire 20 5.83x
Berkshire 18 6.18x
Sussex 18 2.75x
Warwickshire 10 1.02x
Kent 8 0.60x
Lancashire 8 0.17x
Hampshire 7 0.88x
Shropshire 7 2.09x
Roxburghshire 6 8.53x
Glamorgan 5 0.74x
Dorset 4 1.57x
Lincolnshire 4 0.64x
Devon 1 0.12x
Gloucestershire 1 0.13x
Leicestershire 1 0.23x
Northamptonshire 1 0.27x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 41 Hosiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.90x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 41 10.90x
Hemel Hempstead 30 248.76x
Lambeth 22 6.50x
Oxford St Giles 20 174.83x
St George In East London 15 41.07x
Hackney London 13 5.97x
Witney 9 224.44x
Bexhill 8 245.40x
Bushey 8 125.59x
Sarratt 8 860.22x
St Pancras London 8 2.56x
Abingdon St Helen 7 82.16x
Cheswardine 7 489.51x
Glympton 7 3333.33x
Hailey 7 416.67x
Little Chalfield 7 11666.67x
Richmond 7 26.41x
Trowbridge 7 46.11x
Bethnal Green London 6 3.56x
Kings Langley 6 307.69x
Melrose 6 98.68x
Newbury 6 64.31x
Watford 6 28.92x
Cardiff St Mary 5 13.43x
Middlezoy 5 649.35x
St Botolph Aldgate London 5 62.58x
Swindon 5 18.78x
Worthing 5 694.44x
Cann 4 540.54x
Coventry St Michael 4 12.72x
Hampstead London 4 6.62x
Laverton 4 2500.00x
Newington 4 2.79x
Norton St Philip 4 588.24x
St Albans St Michael 4 133.78x
St Swithin Lincoln 4 40.98x
Tilehurst 4 67.91x
Aldershot 3 11.25x
Alverstoke 3 10.42x
Aston 3 1.11x
Battersea 3 2.10x
Birmingham 3 0.92x
Broadwater 3 19.99x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 3 105.63x
Plumstead 3 6.80x
West Derby 3 2.23x
Woolwich 3 6.13x
Asthall 2 400.00x
Bermondsey 2 1.73x
Brighton 2 1.51x
Clerkenwell London 2 2.18x
Cucklington 2 555.56x
Liverpool 2 0.71x
Shoreditch London 2 1.19x
St Marylebone London 2 0.96x
Standlake 2 212.77x
Wembdon 2 108.11x
Westminster St James 2 5.01x
Beckington 1 81.30x
Blackburn 1 0.82x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 2.73x
Charlbury 1 37.17x
Croydon 1 0.95x
Dorking 1 7.87x
Finchley 1 6.72x
Greenwich 1 1.62x
Horton In Ribblesdale 1 142.86x
Lechlade 1 64.10x
Leicester St Margaret 1 0.95x
Lewisham 1 1.42x
Lidford 1 27.55x
Midsomer Norton 1 16.98x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.21x
Northampton All Sts 1 8.07x
Oxford St Ebbe 1 14.16x
Pewsey 1 39.68x
Portsea 1 0.64x
Ratcliffe London 1 4.66x
Sonning 1 31.06x
Whatley 1 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 13
Emma 10
Eliza 8
Alice 7
Ann 7
Annie 7
Ellen 7
Emily 7
Jane 6
Ada 5
Louisa 5
Charlotte 4
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Julia 3
Kate 3
Matilda 3
Rebecca 3
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Georgina 2
Henrietta 2
Isabella 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Agnes 1
Amie 1
C. 1
Catherine 1
Charlott 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Evelyn 1
Frances 1
June 1
Keturah 1
Lilian 1
M. 1
Margret 1
Marian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
Charles 16
John 16
Thomas 15
George 11
James 11
Henry 10
Joseph 8
Alfred 7
Edward 6
David 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
Arthur 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Benjamin 2
Cyril 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Joshua 2
Richard 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
A.H. 1
Aurther 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Hubert 1
J. 1
Jno. 1
Mansell 1
P. 1
Percy 1
Silvester 1
Stephen 1
W.J. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Hosier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hosier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 398 people were recorded with the Hosier surname. That placed it at #7,996 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hosier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 477 in 2016. That gives Hosier a modern rank of #10,344.

What does the Hosier surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to one who made or sold stockings and socks.

What does the Hosier map show?

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