Hill
An English topographic surname referring to someone who lived on or near a hill.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 505,254 Americans carry the last name Hill. That puts it at #39 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 147.41 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 678 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hill 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
505K
1 in 678
Census rank
#39
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
147.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
435K
very common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 434,827 bearers of the surname Hill in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 147.41 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 39th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hill, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.4%. The next largest groups are Black (29.1%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hill
The surname Hill has its origins in England and can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era. The name is derived from the Old English word "hyll," which referred to a hill or a raised piece of land. It is believed that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who lived near a prominent hill or on higher ground.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hill surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions several individuals with the surname Hill, indicating that the name was already in use during the Norman conquest of England.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Hill surname continued to be prevalent in various regions of England, particularly in areas with hilly terrain or settlements situated on elevated ground. Notable examples include the Hill family of Spaxton in Somerset, whose ancestry can be traced back to the 13th century, and the Hills of Shropshire, who were prominent landowners in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Hill surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Roger Hill (c. 1235–1305), an English judge and clergyman who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of King Edward I.
Another prominent figure was Rowland Hill (1744-1833), an English teacher and social reformer, known for his efforts in establishing a low-cost, uniform postal system in Britain. Hill's innovative ideas led to the introduction of the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, in 1840.
The Hill surname has also been associated with literary figures, such as Geoffrey Hill (1932-2016), an English poet and professor of literature who won numerous accolades, including the Wilfred Owen Memorial Prize and the Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism.
In the realm of sports, Damon Hill (born 1960) is a notable figure, having won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1996 and achieving several other victories throughout his racing career.
While the Hill surname originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. Over time, variations in spelling, such as Hills, Hilles, and Hyll, have emerged, reflecting regional dialects and language changes.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hill
Among Census respondents with the surname Hill, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.4%. The next largest groups are Black (29.1%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Hill 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 Hill surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White64.4%
- Black or African American29.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races2.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hill 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 | #39 | #39 | 0.0% |
| Count | 434,827 | 434,827 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 147.41 | 147.41 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Hill bearers went from 434,827 to 434,827 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #39 to #39.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hill
FAQ
Hill surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hill?
The surname Hill holds position #39 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 505,254 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 147.41 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hill surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hill, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.4%. The next largest groups are Black (29.1%) 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.