Find out how popular the first name Heiress has been for the last 20 years (from 2004 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Heiress by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Heiress is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 48 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Heiress.

The history of the first name Heiress

The name Heiress is an English word derived from the Old French "heresse", which in turn comes from the Latin "heres" meaning "heir". It is a feminine form of the word "heir", referring to a woman who inherits property or a title. The earliest recorded use of the word "heiress" dates back to the 14th century.

The name Heiress was likely not used as a given name until much later, perhaps in the 17th or 18th century, when it became fashionable among the aristocracy to give their daughters names that reflected their status and inheritance rights. During this period, the name may have been bestowed upon the daughters of wealthy landowners or noblemen who were set to inherit their family's estates or titles.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Heiress was Heiress Cecilia Blount (1550-1592), the illegitimate daughter of Sir John Blount and Antonia Bassano. She was known for her beauty and her relationship with Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, an illegitimate son of King Henry VIII.

In the 18th century, Heiress Elizabeth Percy (1726-1776), the daughter of Sir Hugh Smithson and Elizabeth Seymour, inherited the vast estates of her childless uncle, the Duke of Somerset. Her marriage to Sir Hugh Smithson, who took the name Percy, united two wealthy families and established the Dukedom of Northumberland.

Another notable Heiress was Heiress Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673), the daughter of Thomas Cavendish and Christina Bruce. She was a prolific writer and philosopher, publishing numerous works on various subjects, including science, philosophy, and literature.

In the 19th century, Heiress Georgiana Spencer (1836-1892), the daughter of John Spencer and Sarah Villiers, was known for her beauty and her marriage to William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire. She was a prominent figure in British society and a patron of the arts.

Lastly, Heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877-1964), the daughter of William Kissam Vanderbilt and Alva Erskine Smith, was an American socialite and heiress to the Vanderbilt family fortune. Her marriage to Charles Spencer-Churchill, the 9th Duke of Marlborough, was one of the most famous society weddings of the era.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Heiress was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Heiress, please contact us.

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