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

Hymes, 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 Hymes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hymes in America

Hymes is the 13874th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hymes surname appeared 2,177 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Hymes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hymes 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 Hymes

The surname Hymes has its origins in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hym," which referred to a remote or secluded place, often a small hamlet or village. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify someone who lived in such a remote location.

The Hymes surname first appeared in historical records in the County of Suffolk, where the family held lands and properties. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Richard de Hymes residing in Suffolk.

During the medieval period, the name underwent various spellings, including Hymes, Hims, Hymes, and Hymmes. This variation was common at a time when spelling conventions were not yet standardized, and names were often written down phonetically based on regional accents and dialects.

In the 14th century, the Hymes family prospered and expanded their landholdings, with branches of the family establishing themselves in several counties across southern England, including Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire.

One notable figure bearing the Hymes surname was John Hymes, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties in Gloucestershire and was involved in the wool trade, a significant industry at the time.

Another prominent individual was Sir William Hymes, a distinguished soldier who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the latter half of the 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical accounts for his bravery and loyalty to the House of Lancaster.

In the 16th century, the Hymes family continued to play a role in English society. Robert Hymes, born in 1542, was a renowned scholar and theologian who served as a rector at the University of Oxford.

During the 17th century, the name Hymes gained further recognition with the birth of Edward Hymes in 1633. He was a renowned architect responsible for designing several notable churches and public buildings in London, including St. Paul's Cathedral, which he worked on alongside Sir Christopher Wren.

The Hymes surname has been carried by many other individuals throughout history, although their specific contributions and accomplishments may not have been as widely documented. Nevertheless, the name has endured for centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of English heritage and the diverse stories of families who have borne it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hymes

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

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

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

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