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

Hye, 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 Hye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hye in America

Hye is the 64721st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hye surname appeared 307 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 Hye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hye 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 Hye

The surname "Hye" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "hye," which means "high" or "tall." This suggests that the name may have initially been given as a descriptive nickname to someone of an above-average height.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1207, where a certain Robert Hye is mentioned. Another early reference appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, listing a John le Hye.

The name "Hye" is believed to have originated in the county of Wiltshire, particularly in the areas around the town of Warminster and the village of Heytesbury. It is possible that the surname may have evolved from a place name or a topographical feature, as was common during that era.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Heye," "Haye," and "Heighe," reflecting the phonetic variations of the time. One notable individual bearing this surname was John Heye, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London, who lived from approximately 1380 to 1450.

In the 16th century, the name "Hye" gained prominence with the birth of Sir Richard Hye (1508-1572), a distinguished English soldier and courtier who served under King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. During this period, the spelling of the surname became more standardized as "Hye."

Another notable figure was William Hye (1585-1658), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral. He was known for his influential writings on religious matters and his contributions to the Church of England.

In the 18th century, the name "Hye" gained further recognition with the birth of Thomas Hye (1720-1788), a renowned English landscape painter and engraver. His works were widely acclaimed and can be found in various art collections across the United Kingdom.

One of the most prominent individuals bearing the surname "Hye" was Sir Walter Hye (1776-1855), a British naval officer and explorer. He gained fame for his voyages to the Arctic regions and his contributions to the exploration and mapping of the Northwest Passage.

Throughout history, the surname "Hye" has been associated with various professions, including merchants, clergy, artists, and military personnel. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings as a descriptive nickname, it has since become a respected surname with a rich historical legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hye

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

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

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

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