UK surname
A patronymic surname derived from the Middle English given name Hubb, a variant of Hubert, meaning "bright heart."
In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Hubbs surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #32,416 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Eccleshall and Kensington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hubbs is 491 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.6%.
1881 census count
9
Ranked #32,416
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
491 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hubbs surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hubbs 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 | 14 | #30,790 |
| 1861 | historical | 491 | #5,322 |
| 1881 | historical | 9 | #32,416 |
| 1891 | historical | 165 | #17,143 |
| 1901 | historical | 25 | #31,259 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Eccleshall, Kensington, Astbury and Manchester. 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 | Eccleshall | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Kensington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | Astbury | Cheshire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hubbs 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 Hubbs, 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 Hubbs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hubbs 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, Hubbs 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 Hubbs is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hubbs, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hubbs is of English origin, traced back to the early medieval period in England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hob," which referred to a small hill or a knoll, often found in place names. This suggests that the name may have originated as a toponymic surname, indicating that the earliest bearers of the name lived near such a geographical feature.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hobbe" and "Hobb." This historic document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented the ownership of lands and properties throughout England.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Hubbe," "Hubbes," and "Hubbs," reflecting the evolution of spelling practices over time. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the interpretation of scribes who recorded the name.
Notable individuals with the surname Hubbs include Sir John Hubbs (c. 1545-1610), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Tregony in Cornwall. Another prominent figure was William Hubbs (1619-1696), a Puritan settler and landowner in colonial Massachusetts.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name spread to other parts of the British Isles, as well as to the American colonies. One example is Robert Hubbs (1687-1745), an early settler in New Jersey who established the Hubbs family in the region.
In the 19th century, Hubbs families were found across England, particularly in counties such as Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. One notable individual from this period was Thomas Hubbs (1812-1889), a prominent architect and surveyor in Somerset.
Another significant figure was Frederick Hubbs (1846-1920), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and was instrumental in the development of the town of Hubbs Creek, named after his family.
Throughout its history, the surname Hubbs has maintained its connection to its English roots, with various spellings and regional variations reflecting the diverse journeys of those who bore the name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hubbs 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Hubbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 2 | 2.28x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 16.93x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 6.76x |
| Surrey | 2 | 4.68x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 4.52x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hayton in Nottinghamshire leads with 2 Hubbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hayton | 2 | 20000.00x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 13.57x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 48.31x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 97.09x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 13.09x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 31.06x |
| Penkridge | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Wolstanton Knutton | 1 | 555.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hubbs 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 Hubbs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| James | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Hubbs surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Hubbs a modern rank of #37,178.
A patronymic surname derived from the Middle English given name Hubb, a variant of Hubert, meaning "bright heart."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hubbs 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.