Hilliard

Hilliard is an English surname of occupational origin, derived from the Old English words "hyll" meaning hill and "weard" meaning guardian or watchman. The name Hilliard was originally given to those who lived on or near a hill or had the responsibility of guarding or watching over a hill or high ground.

The surname Hilliard is widely recorded throughout England, with concentrations in counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent. It is believed to have Anglo-Saxon roots, dating back to the medieval period.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Hilliard include Nicholas Hilliard (c. 1547–1619), an English goldsmith and miniaturist, who is regarded as one of the foremost artists of the Elizabethan era.

Variant spellings of the surname Hilliard include Hillard, Hillyard, and Hillyerd. The name continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining its heritage and historical significance within British genealogy.

There are approximately 2,015 people named Hilliard in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,195th most common surname in Britain. Around 31 in a million people in Britain are named Hilliard.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Amanda
  • Claire
  • Deborah
  • Jeanne
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Lisa
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Sharon
  • Susan

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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