Surname Hillman - Meaning and Origin
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read moreHillman: What does the surname Hillman mean?
The last name Hillman is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "hyll" meaning "hill" and "mann" meaning "man". In this respect, it may have originally been a topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational name for someone who was responsible for herding animals on a hill, or worked on a hill. As many surnames did, Hillman likely evolved to identify people from a certain location, or by their occupation. Nowadays, it is spread across several countries and, while relatively common, the highest concentration of people bearing the Hillman surname can still be found in England. Some people with this surname might also be of German, Dutch, or Swedish descent as similar forms or variations of the name also exist in these languages.
Order DNA origin analysisHillman: Where does the name Hillman come from?
The surname Hillman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, first found in Worcestershire, England. It is a topographic name for someone who lived or worked on a hill, derived from the Old English elements "hyll" meaning hill and "mann" meaning man. Sometimes, it could also be an occupational name for someone employed as a servant of someone called Hill. After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the use of surnames became more frequent, and so the name Hillman began to be used.
Today, Hillman is not a common surname compared to some others. However, it is most prevalent in the United States, with the highest concentration in Utah. There is also a significant number of people with the Hillman surname in England, especially in London. Other countries where the surname can be found include Canada, Australia, and South Africa, though in relatively small numbers.
Variations of the surname Hillman
The surname Hillman originates from the Old English words "hyll" (hill) and "mann" (man). It was used to describe people who lived on or near a hill, resulting in a highly spatially distributed surname. Its English variants include Hillmann, Hileman, and Hylman.
Ingermanized versions include Hillmann and Hüllmann. It can be Anglicized from the German surnames Hügelmann or Bergmann, or from the Dutch surname Heuvelman, all of which share similar geographical connotations. The Dutch surname Van den Heuvel may also be Anglicized as Hillman.
A patronymic form of the name is Hillman's, belonging to Hillman, and Hillman'sen, son of Hillman. Diminutive forms include Hillie and Hillkin.
The history of consolidating similar surnames in English has been fraught with spelling inconsistencies due to immigration and translation, so a wide variety of spellings and variations exist. The phonetical spellings could be based on common variations, like Hileman, Hylman, Hylman, Hillmon, or even Hillmen.
However, it’s also essential to note that despite the overlap in spelling or pronunciation, not all people with similar-sounding or related surnames are necessarily tied by blood or heritage. Each surname has its separate lineage, and the similarity could just be coincidental or due to topographical similarities.
Famous people with the name Hillman
- Mindy Kaling: American actress, comedian, and novelist
- Michael Hillman: British television producer
- Chad Hillman: American football player
- William Hillman: British comedian and actor
- David Hillman: Canadian journalist and financial analyst
- Joyce Hillman: English politician
- James Hillman: American psychologist
- Gregory Hillman: American author and blogger
- Graham Hillman: English novelist
- Nicholas Hillman: British professor in higher education policy.