Surname Hill - Meaning and Origin

Discerning My Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Unlocks the Celtic Origins and Journey of My Family, the Hills

After taking the iGENEA DNA test, my family history, etched in the genes I carry, unfolded like a thrilling novel. From Celtic warriors of the Iron Age to settlements in Germany, my lineage presents a rich mixture of cultures and histories. Significantly, the Hill surname - my surname - became a thread weaving me into the vast tapestry of time.

P. Hill

Hill: What does the surname Hill mean?

The last name Hill is of English origin and is topographical, used to describe someone who lived near or on a hill. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognizable distinguishing names. The English word "hill" comes from the Old English term "hyll". Sometimes, it could be a habitational name from any of various places named with this word, for instance in Worcestershire and Surrey in England. Apart from these, there are a number of minor places so called. The surname first appears in records in the latter part of the 12th Century. It is widespread all over England and it was also adopted by Ashkenazi Jews, probably as an Americanized form of a like-sounding Jewish surname. Variations of the surname can include Hills, Hyll, and Hille.

Hill: Where does the name Hill come from?

The surname Hill most likely derived from the geographical location where the original bearers of the name lived, i.e., near or on a hill. This takes roots from an Old English word, "hyll," meaning "hill." This name became established during the Anglo-Saxon era in England.

Today, Hill is a common surname primarily in English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. According to Forebears, it's most prevalent in the United States with over 540,000 individuals carrying the surname. In England, it's the 36th most common surname with over 83,000 bearers.

In many cases, the surname has been influenced or replaced by translations of the word 'hill' in other languages, such as "Berg" in German, "Collina" in Italian, or "Mont" in French. However, the original anglicized form 'Hill' remains widespread, particularly in countries historically linked to the United Kingdom through colonization and immigration.

Variations of the surname Hill

The surname Hill originated from Old English "hyll" meaning a hill or mound and was often given to those who lived near such a geographical feature. There are several versions, spelling variations, and surnames of the same origin. The surname can be straightforwardly anglicized as Hill, Hille or Hyll. Surnames of similar origins include Hull and Holl, deriving from the Old English "hyll". Also, it's common to find Hills as a variant.

Further variations include the addition of suffixes, such as Hillman, Hilliard, Hillard, Hillier, Hillers, Hillyard, and Hillebrand. These can add meaning to the surname, with Hillman, for example, signifying a man who lives by a hill.

It's also observed in translated or partially anglicized surnames from other languages where the meaning is ‘hill’, such as German Hügel or Italian Colle. In some Jewish cases, it is an Americanized form of a like-meaning Jewish surname.

Regional variants based on the dialect or local terminology for a hill can also exist, creating a range of similar surnames with the same origin. These variations point to the diverse ways in which the original hill-based name could transform depending on geographical and cultural context over centuries.

Famous people with the name Hill

• Laura Hillenbrand: American author who wrote the bestselling nonfiction books “Seabiscuit” and “Unbroken.”
• Faith Hill: American country and pop singer and actress.
• Michael C. Hill: Emmy-winning musical composer and conductor for “Sesame Street.”
• Jeb Bush: American politician and former Governor of Florida.
• Kim Hill: New Zealand television and radio presenter.
• Julianne Hill: American voice actress and voice director.
• Dave Hill: British rock musician, actor, author, and comedy writer.
• Jimmy Hill: Former English footballer and manager and television presenter.
• Melissa Leo: American actress who won an Academy Award for her performance in “The Fighter.”
• Peter Hill-Wood: British businessman and former chairman of Arsenal Football Club.
• Tyra Banks: American model, television presenter, producer, talk show host, and actress.
• Martin Luther King Jr.: American civil rights leader and Nobel Prize winner.
• Rupert Hill: British actor and stand-up comedian.
• Penelope Ann Hill: American actress.
• Celia Cruz: Cuban-American singer who was known as the “Queen of Salsa.”
• Cat Deeley: British television presenter and model.
• William Hill: British bookmaker and founder of William Hill betting.
• Curtis Hill: American politician and former Indiana Attorney General.
• Levi Hill: American inventor who invented the photographic process preceeding daguerreotype technology.
• Cynthia McWilliams: American actress and singer.

Other surnames

HilaireHilalHilanHilariusHilberathHilberothHilbertHilberthHilbertsHilbertzHilbichHilbigHilbingHilbornHilbourneHilbrandHilbrandsHilbrandtHilbransHilbrechtHilbrichHilbrichtHilbrigHilbunHilburnHildHildachHildbrandHildbrandtHildebeutel