NameCensus.

UK surname

Hylton

From a place name meaning "hill farm" in Old English, referring to a settlement on or near a hill.

In the 1881 census there were 175 people recorded with the Hylton surname, ranking it #13,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,294, ranked #4,627, up from #13,982 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Swithin, Gorleston and Middlesborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Trafford, Islington and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hylton is 1,324 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 639.4%.

1881 census count

175

Ranked #13,982

Modern count

1,294

2016, ranked #4,627

Peak year

2010

1,324 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hylton had 175 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,982 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,294 in 2016, ranked #4,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 220 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Hylton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hylton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hylton 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 99 #17,294
1861 historical 80 #23,566
1881 historical 175 #13,982
1891 historical 164 #17,205
1901 historical 220 #14,245
1911 historical 210 #14,515
1997 modern 985 #5,570
1998 modern 1,014 #5,617
1999 modern 1,032 #5,570
2000 modern 1,060 #5,427
2001 modern 1,057 #5,337
2002 modern 1,100 #5,276
2003 modern 1,073 #5,283
2004 modern 1,115 #5,130
2005 modern 1,146 #4,960
2006 modern 1,151 #4,931
2007 modern 1,194 #4,826
2008 modern 1,222 #4,774
2009 modern 1,287 #4,648
2010 modern 1,324 #4,621
2011 modern 1,278 #4,715
2012 modern 1,260 #4,698
2013 modern 1,309 #4,626
2014 modern 1,313 #4,631
2015 modern 1,292 #4,661
2016 modern 1,294 #4,627

Geography

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Where Hyltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Swithin, Gorleston, Middlesborough, Washington and Kelloe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Trafford, Islington, Manchester, Croydon and Lambeth. 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 Lincoln St Swithin Lincolnshire
2 Gorleston Suffolk
3 Middlesborough Durham
4 Washington Durham
5 Kelloe Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Trafford 001 Trafford
2 Islington 015 Islington
3 Manchester 024 Manchester
4 Croydon 006 Croydon
5 Lambeth 034 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hylton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hylton

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Hylton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Hylton 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Hylton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Hylton is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hylton falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hylton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hylton

The surname Hylton originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from one of several places in England called Hilton or Hylton. These place names are derived from the Old English words "hyll" meaning hill and "tun" meaning settlement or enclosure.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Hylton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Hiltun" in Yorkshire. This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the late 11th century.

The Hylton family was prominent in the county of Durham, where they held lands and titles for several centuries. Sir William Hylton, who lived during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377), was a renowned knight and landowner in Durham.

Another notable figure with the surname Hylton was John Hylton, a Carthusian monk who lived in the 15th century. He was the author of several religious works, including a treatise on spiritual contemplation titled "The Ladder of Perfection."

During the Tudor period, there was a Sir Thomas Hylton who served as a member of Parliament for Durham in the mid-16th century. His son, also named Thomas Hylton, was a prominent lawyer and judge during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Hylton family settled in Virginia, where they established plantations and became influential in colonial society. One of the earliest members of this branch was Reverend Lewis Hylton, who was born in England in 1617 and later emigrated to Virginia.

Other notable individuals with the surname Hylton include Walter Hylton, an English mystic and author who lived in the 14th century, and John Hylton, a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the 18th century.

Overall, the surname Hylton has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval England, where it was likely derived from the names of various settlements or localities. Throughout the centuries, the Hylton name has been associated with notable figures in various fields, including religion, law, architecture, and landowners.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hylton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hylton 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. Norfolk leads with 73 Hyltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.81x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 73 27.81x
Durham 38 7.48x
Lincolnshire 16 5.86x
Middlesex 15 0.88x
Yorkshire 12 0.71x
Suffolk 6 2.89x
Derbyshire 5 1.87x
Essex 5 1.48x
Sussex 3 1.04x
Shropshire 1 0.68x
Worcestershire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Strumpshaw in Norfolk leads with 26 Hyltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10833.33x.

Place Total Index
Strumpshaw 26 10833.33x
Blofield 15 2238.81x
Middlesbrough 11 49.93x
Washington 11 516.43x
St Maryle Wigford 10 471.70x
Ryhope 9 254.96x
Pelton 7 289.26x
Postwick 7 4117.65x
St Pancras London 7 5.09x
Gorleston 6 113.64x
St George Hanover Square 6 19.95x
West Herrington 6 337.08x
Church Gresley 5 117.65x
Leyton 5 86.21x
St Swithin Lincoln 5 116.55x
Usworth 5 185.19x
Colby 3 2142.86x
Great Yarmouth 3 13.80x
Hempnall 3 588.24x
Morning Thorpe 3 4285.71x
Burlingham St Andrew 2 2000.00x
Felmingham 2 869.57x
Heigham 2 14.19x
Rogate 2 344.83x
Tuttington 2 1666.67x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.35x
Broadwater 1 15.15x
Drighlington 1 40.65x
Lakenham 1 26.81x
Lingwood 1 434.78x
Litcham 1 212.77x
Shrewsbury St Julian 1 27.40x
Skeyton 1 555.56x
St Margaret Lincoln 1 400.00x
St Marylebone London 1 1.10x
Worcester St Clement 1 70.42x
Worstead 1 222.22x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Hylton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hylton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 175 people were recorded with the Hylton surname. That placed it at #13,982 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hylton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,294 in 2016. That gives Hylton a modern rank of #4,627.

What does the Hylton surname mean?

From a place name meaning "hill farm" in Old English, referring to a settlement on or near a hill.

What does the Hylton map show?

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