NameCensus.

UK surname

Hugg

A surname derived from the Old Norse word 'huggr', meaning courage or fortitude.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Hugg surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Trowbridge, St Pancras and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hugg is 172 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 128.6%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

16

2016, ranked #36,998

Peak year

1861

172 bearers

Map years

1

1861 to 1861

Key insights

  • Hugg had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016, ranked #36,998.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 172 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Hugg surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hugg surname density by area, 1861 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hugg 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 172 #13,619
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 92 #25,109
1901 historical 45 #29,156
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 7 #37,533
1998 modern 11 #36,908
1999 modern 8 #37,367
2000 modern 10 #37,001
2001 modern 10 #36,852
2002 modern 12 #36,679
2003 modern 14 #36,512
2004 modern 15 #36,530
2005 modern 11 #37,065
2006 modern 13 #36,902
2007 modern 12 #37,095
2008 modern 11 #37,270
2009 modern 14 #37,041
2010 modern 16 #36,937
2011 modern 19 #36,668
2012 modern 18 #36,723
2013 modern 16 #36,955
2014 modern 17 #36,888
2015 modern 16 #36,978
2016 modern 16 #36,998

Geography

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Where Huggs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Trowbridge, St Pancras, Liverpool, St Mary Islington and Tynemouth. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Trowbridge Wiltshire
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 Tynemouth Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hugg

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hugg

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Hugg surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hugg household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Hugg 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hugg is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hugg

The surname Hugg is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "hocg," which referred to a person of significant height or stature. Alternatively, some sources suggest it may have derived from the Old English word "hog," meaning a small hill or mound.

The earliest known recordings of the Hugg name can be found in historical records from the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, there is a mention of a William Hogge, whose name eventually evolved into the modern spelling of Hugg. This early reference indicates that the surname was already established in England during that time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in the renowned Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholders and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book contains an entry for a landowner named Hubert Hogge, who held lands in the county of Essex.

During the 16th century, the Hugg surname gained further prominence. One notable figure from this era was John Hugg, a wealthy merchant and landowner from London, born in 1542. His descendants continued to play influential roles in the city's trade and commerce over the following centuries.

Another prominent individual bearing the Hugg surname was Sir William Hugg, a distinguished military officer who served in the English Civil War during the 17th century. Born in 1610, he was knighted for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield, and his exploits were documented in various historical accounts of the time.

In the 18th century, the Hugg name was also associated with literary figures. Samuel Hugg, born in 1734, was a renowned poet and essayist whose works were widely published and celebrated during the Age of Enlightenment.

Moving into the 19th century, the Hugg surname gained recognition in the field of academia. Elizabeth Hugg, born in 1822, was a pioneering educator and one of the first women to hold a prominent position at Oxford University, where she taught literature and languages.

Throughout its history, the Hugg surname has been linked to various place names and locations across England. For instance, the village of Huggermugger in Gloucestershire is believed to have derived its name from a variation of the Hugg surname, possibly referring to a prominent local family or landowner from centuries past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hugg families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hugg 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. Yorkshire leads with 4 Huggs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.93x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 4 5.93x
Devon 2 14.11x
Middlesex 1 1.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bewholme Nunkeeling in Yorkshire leads with 4 Huggs recorded in 1881 and an index of 40000.00x.

Place Total Index
Bewholme Nunkeeling 4 40000.00x
Hackney London 1 26.18x
Langtree 1 5000.00x
Tormoham 1 166.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Ann 1
Bridget 1
Ellen 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Francis 1
George 1

FAQ

Hugg surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hugg surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Hugg surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hugg surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Hugg a modern rank of #36,998.

What does the Hugg surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old Norse word 'huggr', meaning courage or fortitude.

What does the Hugg map show?

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