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

Hesterly, 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 Hesterly surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hesterly in America

Hesterly is the 104156th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hesterly surname appeared 172 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hesterly.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hesterly 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 Hesterly

The surname Hesterly has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hester" meaning bramble or thicket, and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or in a clearing surrounded by brambles or thickets.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a person named Richard de Hesterlegh is mentioned. This spelling variation showcases the name's evolution over time. Similarly, in the Feet of Fines records for Staffordshire in 1275, a Thomas de Husterley is listed.

The name Hesterly is also linked to various place names in England, such as Hesterly in Gloucestershire and Hesterly in Somerset. These locations likely took their names from the same Old English roots as the surname, further solidifying the connection between the name and the geographic features it once described.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Hesterly. One such figure is Sir John Hesterly (1562-1641), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the early 17th century. Another is William Hesterly (1678-1757), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the name appears in the records of the East India Company, with Robert Hesterly (1725-1790) serving as a captain in the British East India Company's maritime fleet. Additionally, James Hesterly (1789-1862), a British military officer, gained recognition for his service during the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Elizabeth Hesterly (1820-1892), a pioneering English educator and women's rights advocate who campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities for girls and women in Victorian-era Britain.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diversity of individuals who have carried the surname Hesterly over the centuries, leaving an indelible mark on various fields and societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hesterly

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

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

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

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