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

Hister, 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 Hister surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hister in America

Hister is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hister surname appeared 102 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 Hister.

The history of the last name Hister

The surname HISTER has its origins in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "hister," which referred to a maker of musical instruments, particularly stringed instruments like harps and lutes. This occupation was highly regarded during medieval times when music played a significant role in court life and entertainment.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname HISTER can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, an essential record of landowners and their holdings during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears as "Richard le Hister" in the rolls for the county of Norfolk, suggesting that the family may have originated from this region.

In the 14th century, the surname HISTER is mentioned in the Chancery Rolls of 1396, where a John Hister is listed as a resident of the city of London. This record provides evidence that the surname had spread beyond its initial rural origins and was present in urban centers as well.

During the 15th century, the name HISTER appears in various historical documents, including the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the influential Paston family of Norfolk. In one letter dated 1472, a certain William Hister is mentioned as a servant in the household of Sir John Paston.

Notable individuals with the surname HISTER include:

1. Robert Hister (c. 1520 - 1585), an English composer and musician who served at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Thomas Hister (1609 - 1674), a renowned lute maker from London whose instruments were highly prized by the nobility and aristocracy of the time.
3. Mary Hister (1688 - 1763), a celebrated singer and performer in the London theatre scene during the early 18th century.
4. John Hister (1735 - 1805), a scholar and author who published several works on the history and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
5. William Hister (1777 - 1856), a prominent architect and civil engineer responsible for designing several notable buildings and bridges in the city of Bristol.

While the surname HISTER may have originated from a specific occupation, it has since become a lasting part of English heritage, with its roots stretching back centuries and its branches extending across various fields and endeavors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hister

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

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

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

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