NameCensus.

UK surname

Hymas

A surname thought to be a variation of the name "Haines" and derived from the old personal name "Haynes".

In the 1881 census there were 249 people recorded with the Hymas surname, ranking it #11,103 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 465, ranked #10,558, up from #11,103 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mansfield, County Durham and Harrogate.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hymas is 514 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.7%.

1881 census count

249

Ranked #11,103

Modern count

465

2016, ranked #10,558

Peak year

1999

514 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hymas had 249 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,103 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016, ranked #10,558.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 424 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hymas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hymas surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hymas 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 153 #12,721
1861 historical 139 #16,263
1881 historical 249 #11,103
1891 historical 255 #12,552
1901 historical 381 #9,799
1911 historical 424 #8,905
1997 modern 490 #9,435
1998 modern 506 #9,501
1999 modern 514 #9,466
2000 modern 510 #9,485
2001 modern 489 #9,629
2002 modern 506 #9,545
2003 modern 493 #9,588
2004 modern 503 #9,480
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 463 #10,015
2007 modern 453 #10,281
2008 modern 443 #10,559
2009 modern 454 #10,590
2010 modern 470 #10,524
2011 modern 478 #10,299
2012 modern 469 #10,348
2013 modern 495 #10,093
2014 modern 489 #10,253
2015 modern 467 #10,535
2016 modern 465 #10,558

Geography

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Where Hymas' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy, Baddow, Great and Burton Leonard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mansfield, County Durham and Harrogate. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex
4 Baddow, Great Essex
5 Burton Leonard Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mansfield 005 Mansfield
2 County Durham 062 County Durham
3 County Durham 051 County Durham
4 County Durham 063 County Durham
5 Harrogate 009 Harrogate

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hymas

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hymas

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Hymas is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Hymas 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

Hymas falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hymas 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 Hymas, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hymas

The surname "HYMAS" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname derived from a place name, possibly from the village of Hymes or Hyams in the county of Somerset.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Himas." This suggests that the name has been in use for at least nine centuries and may have roots dating back even further.

In the 13th century, records show variations of the name such as "de Hymas" and "atte Hymas," indicating that the surname was likely associated with a specific location or landholding. These early spellings provide insights into the name's evolution over time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname appears to have become more widespread across England. Notable individuals from this period include John Hymas (1550-1612), a merchant and landowner from Wiltshire, and Elizabeth Hymas (1623-1691), a writer and poet from Yorkshire.

In the 18th century, the surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with records suggesting families settled in counties such as Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. One notable figure was William Hymas (1745-1821), a renowned architect who designed several prominent buildings in London.

As the British Empire expanded in the 19th century, individuals bearing the surname Hymas began to migrate to other parts of the world. Among them was Thomas Hymas (1810-1879), an explorer and naturalist who documented the flora and fauna of Australia and New Zealand.

Other notable individuals with the surname Hymas include Sir George Hymas (1875-1951), a distinguished British military officer who served in World War I, and Katherine Hymas (1892-1972), an acclaimed author and historian whose works focused on the social and cultural aspects of medieval England.

It is worth noting that while the surname Hymas has a long history and can be traced back to medieval times, its overall prevalence has remained relatively low compared to many other English surnames. Nevertheless, it holds a unique place in the rich tapestry of British family names and their diverse origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hymas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hymas 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. Essex leads with 120 Hymas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.93x.

County Total Index
Essex 120 24.93x
Middlesex 69 2.83x
Yorkshire 34 1.41x
Surrey 12 1.01x
Durham 5 0.69x
Kent 5 0.60x
Bedfordshire 1 0.79x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.65x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Hertfordshire 1 0.60x
Norfolk 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelmsford in Essex leads with 33 Hymas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 399.52x.

Place Total Index
Chelmsford 33 399.52x
Shoreditch London 23 21.76x
Bethnal Green London 12 11.33x
Burton Leonard 11 3055.56x
Bow London 10 32.22x
Bishop Monkton 9 2250.00x
Canewdon 9 1500.00x
Great Baddow 9 526.32x
Barking 8 56.82x
Mitcham 8 106.52x
Edmonton 7 35.62x
Great Burstead 7 400.00x
Kirkleatham 7 214.72x
Loughton 7 294.12x
Prittlewell 7 104.95x
Great Wakering 6 555.56x
Aveley 5 617.28x
Gateshead 5 9.20x
Bromley London 4 7.46x
Little Wakering 4 1481.48x
St Pancras London 4 2.04x
Epsom 3 51.81x
Hawkwell 3 1363.64x
Newby Cum Mulwith 3 4285.71x
South Fambridge 3 4285.71x
West Ham 3 2.82x
Chigwell 2 44.05x
Corringham 2 555.56x
Dartford 2 23.50x
Eastwood 2 476.19x
Enfield 2 12.50x
Horton Kirby 2 155.04x
Islington London 2 0.85x
Marton Cum Moxby 2 1666.67x
North Benfleet 2 1176.47x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.66x
Bishop Stortford 1 17.83x
Castle Camps 1 135.14x
Chatham 1 4.37x
Chelsea London 1 1.36x
Clint 1 303.03x
Croydon 1 1.52x
Farnborough 1 19.05x
Harlington 1 222.22x
Leyton Low 1 10.22x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.93x
Orsett 1 79.37x
Otley 1 17.04x
Paglesham 1 232.56x
Poplar London 1 2.17x
Ramsden Crays 1 526.32x
Rochford 1 71.43x
South Ockendon 1 100.00x
Southchurch 1 227.27x
Upwell 1 57.14x
Woodham Ferris 1 178.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Sarah 11
Alice 8
Elizabeth 8
Emma 8
Annie 6
Ellen 5
Jane 5
Caroline 4
Eliza 4
Louisa 4
Ann 3
Charlotte 3
Kate 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Florence 2
Minnie 2
Cathrine 1
Charlott 1
Eleanor 1
Emely 1
Ester 1
Fanny 1
Flory 1
Frances 1
Georgeana 1
Infant 1
Jemima 1
Joanna 1
Katie 1
L. 1
L.L. 1
M. 1
Mahalia 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Miriam 1
Nancy 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Rosetta 1
Rosie 1
Rosina 1
Ruth 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
William 15
George 8
Edward 6
Henry 6
Walter 6
Frederick 5
James 5
Thomas 5
Alfd. 3
Alfred 3
Ephraim 3
Samuel 3
Albert 2
Christopher 2
Elijah 2
Fred 2
Fredrick 2
Horatio 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Eltham 1
Ernest 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Gerge 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
J. 1
Jno.Thos. 1
Joseph 1
Josiah 1
Moses 1
Nelson 1
Robert 1
Thos.C. 1
Thos.D. 1
Tom 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Hymas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hymas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 249 people were recorded with the Hymas surname. That placed it at #11,103 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hymas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 465 in 2016. That gives Hymas a modern rank of #10,558.

What does the Hymas surname mean?

A surname thought to be a variation of the name "Haines" and derived from the old personal name "Haynes".

What does the Hymas map show?

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