Hilligoss
A German surname possibly derived from a location name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,028 Americans carry the last name Hilligoss. That puts it at #27,411 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.30 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 333,419 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hilligoss 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
1.0K
1 in 333,419
Census rank
#27,411
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
880
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 880 bearers of the surname Hilligoss in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 27411th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hilligoss, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hilligoss
The surname Hilligoss has its origins in the German language and can be traced back to the late 15th century in parts of central Germany. It is believed to have derived from the German words "hillig" meaning "holy" and "goss" meaning "stream" or "brook", indicating that it may have originally referred to someone who lived near a holy stream or brook.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Hilligoss can be found in a document from the town of Eisenach, dated 1487, which refers to a "Johannes Hilligoss" as a resident. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time in the region.
In the 16th century, variations of the spelling began to appear, such as "Hilligos", "Hilligoß", and "Hilligosse", reflecting the fluid nature of surname spelling during that period. These spellings can be found in church records and land registries from various towns in central Germany.
The name Hilligoss appears to have spread beyond its original region through migration and the movement of people during the 17th and 18th centuries. Records from this time show individuals with the surname living in areas such as Saxony, Thuringia, and even as far as Bavaria.
One notable person with the surname Hilligoss was Johann Hilligoss (1653-1718), a Lutheran pastor and theologian from the town of Erfurt. He was known for his scholarly works on biblical exegesis and his contributions to the theological debates of his time.
Another individual of note was Anna Hilligoss (1712-1782), a midwife from the town of Gotha who is credited with pioneering techniques in childbirth and maternal care that were considered innovative for her time.
In the 19th century, the surname Hilligoss began to appear in records from other parts of Europe, likely due to migration and the spread of German diaspora communities. For example, there are references to a family bearing the name living in the Netherlands during this period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hilligoss name in North America can be found in the passenger lists of a ship that arrived in Philadelphia in 1846, carrying a family with the surname from the German states.
Throughout its history, the surname Hilligoss has been associated with various occupations and professions, from clergy and scholars to tradesmen and farmers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who have borne the name over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hilligoss
Among Census respondents with the surname Hilligoss, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Hilligoss 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 Hilligoss surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.4%
- Two or more races2.5%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hilligoss 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 | #27,411 | #27,411 | 0.0% |
| Count | 880 | 880 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Hilligoss bearers went from 880 to 880 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #27,411 to #27,411.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hilligoss
FAQ
Hilligoss surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hilligoss?
The surname Hilligoss holds position #27,411 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,028 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hilligoss surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hilligoss, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.5%) and Hispanic (1.7%). 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.