Hesher last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Hesher

A German surname derived from words meaning "dweller from a heathery region."

Hesher, 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 Hesher surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Hesher in America

Hesher is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hesher surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hesher.

The history of the last name Hesher

The surname Hesher is believed to have its origins in the English-speaking world, specifically emerging in England around the medieval period. It was likely derived from an occupational or topographical background. The name Hesher may have roots in Old English, where "hæs" referred to a brushwood or shrubbery area, and "scearu" meant a district or division, suggesting that the name could be associated with someone living near or tending to a brushwood area.

The earliest records of the surname Hesher appear in medieval manuscripts and parish records. One of the first mentions can be traced back to a 13th-century document from Kent, where a John le Hescher is listed as a landholder. The spelling variations during this period were common due to inconsistent orthographic practices, with similar surnames like Heschar appearing in different regions.

One noteworthy figure bearing the surname was Thomas Hesher, born in 1583 and recorded in the annals of Norfolk as a local magistrate. His contributions to the community were numerous, particularly in rural development and local governance. Another early example includes Elizabeth Hesher, who was documented in 1635 in Devonshire, known for her efforts in advancing the local wool trade.

In the 18th century, Richard Hesher from Cornwall made significant strides in the burgeoning tin mining industry, contributing to the economic growth of the region. His work led to the modernization of several mines, and his influence can still be seen in Cornish mining heritage sites.

Sarah Hesher, born in 1804 and a resident of Berkshire, was an early proponent of the women's suffrage movement in the 19th century. Her efforts and speeches are credited with inspiring many women in her county to join the cause for voting rights.

Finally, one of the 20th century's prominent figures with the surname was Dr. Harold Hesher, born in 1879, who became a renowned physician and medical researcher. His work in epidemiology helped pave the way for modern-day public health practices and earned him recognition in medical circles globally.

Throughout history, the surname Hesher has been associated with various professions and notable contributions, reflecting a rich heritage rooted in medieval England and evolving through centuries to influence a range of fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hesher

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hesher was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 97.22% 105
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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.

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 Hesher was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Hesher last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/hesher-surname-popularity/.

"Hesher last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/hesher-surname-popularity/. Accessed 17 May, 2025

Hesher last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/hesher-surname-popularity/.

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