NameCensus.

UK surname

Huish

An English locational name originating from various places so named.

In the 1881 census there were 455 people recorded with the Huish surname, ranking it #7,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 693, ranked #7,768, down from #7,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Chard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Somerset and West Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Huish is 728 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.3%.

1881 census count

455

Ranked #7,268

Modern count

693

2016, ranked #7,768

Peak year

1999

728 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Huish had 455 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016, ranked #7,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 616 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Huish surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Huish surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Huish 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 294 #7,758
1861 historical 340 #7,497
1881 historical 455 #7,268
1891 historical 493 #7,514
1901 historical 571 #7,341
1911 historical 616 #6,702
1997 modern 690 #7,329
1998 modern 725 #7,283
1999 modern 728 #7,302
2000 modern 723 #7,319
2001 modern 708 #7,308
2002 modern 726 #7,299
2003 modern 700 #7,389
2004 modern 696 #7,437
2005 modern 697 #7,380
2006 modern 687 #7,479
2007 modern 692 #7,491
2008 modern 703 #7,457
2009 modern 697 #7,662
2010 modern 701 #7,770
2011 modern 678 #7,885
2012 modern 666 #7,912
2013 modern 699 #7,734
2014 modern 715 #7,646
2015 modern 695 #7,756
2016 modern 693 #7,768

Geography

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Where Huishs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Chard, Wells St Cuthbert In and Out and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Somerset, West Somerset, Caerphilly and West Dorset. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Chard Somerset
4 Wells St Cuthbert In and Out Somerset
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 031 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 South Somerset 023 South Somerset
3 West Somerset 002 West Somerset
4 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
5 West Dorset 003 West Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Huish

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Huish

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Huish, 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 Huish surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Huish 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Huish is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Huish is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Huish falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Huish is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Huish

The surname HUISH is of English origin, originating from the Middle English word "hwīsc", meaning a small wooded area or thicket. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hysc", which had the same meaning. The name likely emerged in the 12th or 13th century as a toponymic surname, referring to someone who lived near or came from a place called Huish.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England, particularly in Somerset and Wiltshire. One of the earliest known references to the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1243, which mentions a "Walter de Huish".

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several listings of places with the name "Huish", such as Huish Episcopi and Huish Champflower in Somerset, indicating that the name was in use as a place name before becoming a surname.

During the medieval period, the name appeared in various spellings, including Huysh, Huyshe, Huwysshe, and Hughisshe, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. Some notable historical figures with the surname HUISH include:

1. William Huish (c.1495-1553), an English churchman who served as the Bishop of Bangor from 1536 to 1553. 2. Robert Huish (c.1597-1667), an English writer and translator who published works on geography and travel. 3. John Huish (1720-1808), an English Quaker and philanthropist who founded the Huish Trust for the education of children. 4. Sir Robert Huish (1777-1850), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was later knighted. 5. Marcus Bourne Huish (1844-1921), an English artist and illustrator known for his contributions to magazines and books in the late 19th century.

The name HUISH is also found in various place names across England, such as Huish Champflower, Huish Episcopi, and Huish Ewenny, further reinforcing its origins as a toponymic surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Huish families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Huish 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 174 Huishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.46x.

County Total Index
Somerset 174 24.46x
Gloucestershire 46 5.31x
Middlesex 32 0.72x
Wiltshire 29 7.42x
Surrey 25 1.16x
Brecknockshire 23 26.03x
Devon 18 1.96x
Glamorgan 12 1.56x
Kent 9 0.60x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.51x
Suffolk 8 1.49x
Essex 7 0.80x
Hampshire 7 0.77x
Herefordshire 7 3.86x
Northamptonshire 7 1.68x
Yorkshire 7 0.16x
Derbyshire 6 0.87x
Warwickshire 6 0.54x
Monmouthshire 5 1.57x
Northumberland 4 0.61x
East Lothian 3 5.13x
Lancashire 3 0.06x
Oxfordshire 2 0.73x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Peeblesshire 1 4.81x
Staffordshire 1 0.07x
Sussex 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Porlock in Somerset leads with 24 Huishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2068.97x.

Place Total Index
Porlock 24 2068.97x
Chard 22 255.22x
Bedminster 15 22.44x
Bristol St George 12 29.94x
Combe St Nicholas 12 697.67x
Llangattock 12 166.67x
Kensington London 11 4.48x
Llanelly 11 104.07x
Uphill 10 1020.41x
Ashwick 9 782.61x
Hucknall Torkard 9 59.60x
Kewstoke 9 803.57x
Street 9 233.77x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 9 157.07x
Broad Hinton 8 963.86x
Edmonton 8 22.47x
Buckland In Dover 7 140.00x
Camberwell 7 2.48x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 33.22x
Ledbury 7 112.54x
Passenham 7 409.36x
Patney 7 3333.33x
Ansley 6 476.19x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 7.35x
Bristol St Stephen 6 266.67x
Luccombe 6 1071.43x
Northowram 6 19.54x
West Ham 6 3.12x
Whitestauton 6 1935.48x
Aberdare 5 9.47x
Bermondsey 5 3.80x
Buckland St Mary 5 543.48x
Congresbury 5 277.78x
Ipswich St Margaret 5 27.38x
Portsea 5 2.82x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 4 50.70x
Filton 4 888.89x
Manningford Abbotts 4 2666.67x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 4 10.19x
Paddington London 4 2.46x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 5.64x
Sparkford 4 1052.63x
Swindon 4 13.20x
Batheaston 3 122.95x
Bleadon 3 319.15x
Clevedon 3 40.54x
Croydon 3 2.51x
Fulham London 3 4.68x
Lambeth 3 0.78x
Midsomer Norton 3 44.78x
Paulton 3 92.02x
Roath 3 8.58x
Shepton Mallet 3 37.59x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 3.37x
St Woollos 3 8.42x
Stapleton 3 18.25x
Yester 3 212.77x
Bathwick 2 25.41x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 6.92x
Derby St Alkmund 2 9.65x
Ipswich St Mathew 2 13.26x
Litchurch 2 7.18x
Llandaff 2 7.81x
Llanover 2 18.33x
Mangotsfield 2 23.15x
Newington 2 1.23x
Pennington In Leigh 2 19.88x
Plymouth Charles The 2 4.94x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.57x
Stoke Damerel 2 3.11x
Swansea Town 2 3.17x
Westbury On Trym 2 6.81x
Wroughton 2 59.00x
Bonchurch 1 98.04x
Burrington 1 144.93x
Frome 1 5.88x
Innerleithen 1 18.12x
Taunton St Mary 1 7.66x
Tormoham 1 2.57x
Whitchurch 1 61.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 22
Sarah 16
Eliza 10
Ellen 9
Emma 9
Emily 8
Fanny 7
Margaret 7
Alice 6
Ann 6
Florence 6
Jane 6
Annie 5
Kate 5
Charlotte 4
Hannah 4
Harriet 4
Lucy 4
Maria 4
Eva 3
Louisa 3
Rose 3
Clara 2
Edith 2
Frances 2
Laura 2
Lilly 2
Lydia 2
Martha 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Almie 1
Angnes 1
Berthea 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Charlote 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizebth 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Elizth.E. 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Janett 1
Johanna 1
Tryphena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 20
Henry 18
George 12
Edward 10
James 9
Charles 8
Francis 7
Thomas 7
Albert 6
David 6
Walter 6
Alfred 5
Frank 5
Joseph 5
Frederick 4
Arthur 3
Fredrick 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Jacob 2
Samuel 2
Adolphus 1
Andrew 1
Earnest 1
Edd.Chas. 1
Edwin 1
Egbert 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Emmanuel 1
Enock 1
Esau 1
Herbert 1
Hobart 1
Imlah 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Marcus 1
Mary 1
Nicholas 1
Oliver 1
Osborne 1
Robt. 1
Soloman 1
Tom 1
W.C. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Huish surname: questions and answers

How common was the Huish surname in 1881?

In 1881, 455 people were recorded with the Huish surname. That placed it at #7,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Huish surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016. That gives Huish a modern rank of #7,768.

What does the Huish surname mean?

An English locational name originating from various places so named.

What does the Huish map show?

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