Find out how popular the last name Greenhill is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Greenhill.

Greenhill, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Greenhill surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Greenhill in America

Greenhill is the 14724th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Greenhill surname appeared 2,018 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Greenhill.

We can also compare 2010 data for Greenhill to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Greenhill

The surname GREENHILL is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is a locational name, derived from the Old English words 'grene' meaning green and 'hyll' meaning hill, referring to a person who resided near or hailed from a verdant hill or elevated ground.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as 'de Grenehull'. This suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive term to identify individuals based on their place of residence.

During the 13th century, the name was also documented in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire as 'Grenehull', indicating its presence in various regions of England. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, GREENHILL, reflecting the standardization of English surnames.

Notable historical figures bearing the GREENHILL surname include Sir Richard GREENHILL (1591-1677), an English diplomat and politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. Another prominent individual was Thomas GREENHILL (1693-1771), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer, best known for his contributions to the study of calculus and celestial mechanics.

In the literary realm, John GREENHILL (1649-1676) was an English poet and satirist, renowned for his biting wit and criticism of contemporary society. His works, such as "The Bitter Pill" and "The Sarcastic Scourge," offered incisive commentary on the political and social climate of his era.

The GREENHILL name also appears in various genealogical records and historical accounts throughout the centuries. For instance, William GREENHILL (1585-1677) was a celebrated English Puritan clergyman and author, known for his influential sermons and writings on religious matters.

Another notable figure was Ralph GREENHILL (1702-1782), a British architect and surveyor who contributed significantly to the development of the Georgian architectural style in England. His works included the design of several grand estates and country houses, showcasing his expertise in classical and neoclassical architectural forms.

While the GREENHILL surname originated in England, it has since been carried across the globe by generations of emigrants, contributing to the diversity of cultures and communities worldwide. The name's enduring presence serves as a testament to its rich historical heritage and the remarkable journeys of those who have borne it through the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Greenhill

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Greenhill.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Greenhill was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Greenhill has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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