Hemphill

Hemphill is a Scottish surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "hemp" meaning cannabis or hemp, and "hyll" meaning hill. The surname is believed to have originated in the village of Hemphill in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The first recorded instance of the surname Hemphill dates back to the early 14th century in Lanarkshire, where individuals bearing this name were associated with agriculture and land ownership. Over the centuries, the Hemphill family spread throughout Scotland, with notable branches establishing themselves in regions such as Dumfriesshire and Ayrshire.

The Hemphill surname has also been found in Ireland, particularly in counties Antrim and Derry, where Scottish immigrants settled in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name has maintained a presence in both Scotland and Ireland to the present day.

Notable individuals bearing the Hemphill surname include musicians, scholars, and public figures. The name has also been linked to various social and cultural movements, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals with this surname across different fields.

In contemporary times, the surname Hemphill continues to be prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is a name that carries historical significance and remains part of the rich tapestry of British surnames.

There are approximately 631 people named Hemphill in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around ten in a million people in Britain are named Hemphill.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Steven
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Anna
  • Anne
  • Clare
  • Elizabeth
  • Jennifer
  • Julia
  • Karen
  • Kathleen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Maureen
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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