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

Hights, 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 Hights surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hights in America

Hights is the 146201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hights surname appeared 113 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 Hights.

The history of the last name Hights

The surname Hights has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hight," which means "height" or "high ground." This suggests that the name may have been originally given to someone who lived at a higher elevation or on a hill.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Hights can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated around 1275. These rolls were records of financial transactions, and the name appeared as "Hyhte." This spelling variation provides insight into the evolution of the surname over time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1346, where it was spelled as "Hight." This record is significant as it suggests the name's association with a specific location in Buckinghamshire.

The Hights surname also found its way into literary works of the time. One notable example is the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, written in the late 14th century. In this work, the character known as the Yeoman is referred to as "Hight Bilder."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Hights was John Hights, born in 1542 in Warwickshire, England. He was a prominent figure in his local community and served as a parish clerk.

Another notable bearer of the Hights name was Elizabeth Hights, born in 1618 in Gloucestershire. She was a respected midwife and played a crucial role in the birthing process for many families in her region.

In the 17th century, the name Hights appeared in connection with various place names in England. For instance, the village of Hights Nowers in Somerset was mentioned in records from the 1600s. This suggests a potential link between the surname and specific geographical locations.

One of the most famous individuals with the Hights surname was Sir Thomas Hights, born in 1645 in Yorkshire. He was a renowned military leader and served in the English Civil War, playing a key role in several battles.

Lastly, Samuel Hights, born in 1712 in Oxfordshire, was a renowned scholar and philosopher. He wrote extensively on the nature of human reasoning and logic, making significant contributions to the field of epistemology.

Throughout its history, the surname Hights has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, reflecting the diverse origins and influences that have shaped its evolution over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hights

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

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 Hights 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.

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

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

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