Hailey
Derived from a place name meaning "hay clearing" or "hay wood" in Old English.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 9,666 Americans carry the last name Hailey. That puts it at #4,256 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.82 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 35,460 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hailey surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
9.7K
1 in 35,460
Census rank
#4,256
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,327 bearers of the surname Hailey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.82 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4256th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hailey, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.7%. The next largest groups are Black (32.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hailey
The surname Hailey originated from the northern English region and has its roots in the Old English and Old Norse languages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hæg," meaning "hay," or the Old Norse word "heggr," meaning "hedge." Essentially, the name Hailey referred to someone who lived near a hayfield or a hedged enclosure.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hailey can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "de Hagheley" in reference to a location in Worcestershire, England. This suggests that the name was initially a place name before being adopted as a surname.
In the 13th century, the name Hailey appeared in various forms, such as "de Hailey," "de Hayley," and "de Haylege," reflecting the different spellings and pronunciations of the time. One notable example is William de Hailey, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1202.
During the medieval period, the name Hailey was also associated with several place names, including Hailey in Oxfordshire, Hailey in Gloucestershire, and Haileybury in Hertfordshire. These locations likely contributed to the spread and popularization of the surname.
In the 16th century, the name Hailey gained recognition through individuals like John Hailey (1556-1610), an English lawyer and member of Parliament. Another notable figure was Thomas Hailey (1564-1634), a wealthy merchant and member of the Virginia Company, who played a significant role in the early colonization of Virginia.
The 17th century saw the emergence of notable Haileys, such as William Hailey (1597-1677), an English clergyman and author, and Edward Hailey (1630-1709), an English merchant and benefactor who helped establish the Haileybury School in Hertfordshire.
In the 18th century, the name Hailey continued to be prominent, with individuals like Edmond Hailey (1708-1784), a British writer and translator, and William Hailey (1744-1817), an English poet and playwright.
Throughout history, the surname Hailey has been carried by various individuals across different professions and backgrounds, reflecting its enduring presence in the English-speaking world.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hailey
Among Census respondents with the surname Hailey, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.7%. The next largest groups are Black (32.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Hailey bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Hailey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White61.7%
- Black or African American32.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races2.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hailey surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,256 | #4,256 | 0.0% |
| Count | 8,327 | 8,327 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.82 | 2.82 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Hailey bearers went from 8,327 to 8,327 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #4,256 to #4,256.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hailey
FAQ
Hailey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hailey?
The surname Hailey holds position #4,256 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 9,666 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.82 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hailey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hailey, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.7%. The next largest groups are Black (32.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.