Surname Hills - Meaning and Origin
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Navigating Identity and Heritage: A Personal Account from a Hills Perspective Fuelled by iGENEA DNA Test
My iGENEA DNA test results provided a delightful blend of surprise and self-realization. Connecting me with my past, linking me with distant relatives and painting a vivid picture of the Hills family legacy, this journey of discovery redefined what it means to bear the Hills surname and opened my eyes to the complexities and richness inherent in my identity.
D. Hills
read moreHills: What does the surname Hills mean?
The last name Hills is of English origin and is mostly associated with individuals residing or having roots from the United Kingdom. This surname is topographic, given originally to those residing near or on an area of elevated land. "Hill" can also be associated with a residence by a hill or an occupational name for someone living or working 'at the hill'. In Old English, the word "hyll" meant "hill," hence outlining the etymology of the name. Additionally, it could derive from a medieval given name, Hill, a pet form of the personal name Hilary or Hilarius. The surname Hills is therefore significant of the geography of the land where the lineage originated, denoting their association with high ground or hills.
Order DNA origin analysisHills: Where does the name Hills come from?
The surname Hills is of English origin, primarily regarded to be topographic, denoting someone who lived or worked on or near a hill. The name is derived from the Old English word "hyll." It can also be a shortened form of the name Hillary or Hilliard. The roots of the Hills family trace back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Their name came from Hildebrand which was originally derived from the Germanic elements "Hild", meaning battle, and "brand", meaning sword.
In present times, the surname Hills is most common in England, particularly in areas such as Kent and Hampshire. However, it has spread worldwide due to migration. It is also quite prevalent in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Even so, according to recent census data, a majority of the people with the last name Hills reside in England.
Variations of the surname Hills
The surname "Hills" can take multiple spellings, origins, and variants. It is primarily of English origin and is derived from a geographical location, specifically referring to individuals living or working on or around hills.
Variations in spelling can be found throughout history and across different cultures. Variants include Hill, Hillis, Hellis, and Hulls. A well-known surname similar to Hills is Halls, but this generally has a different geographical origin, referring to individuals who lived near or inside halls, or large residences or manors.
Another variant is Hilles, which is more commonly found in the Northern parts of England. Similarly, O'Hills and McHills, although rarely, can be considered versions of Hills in Ireland specifically, as "O" and "Mc" are common Gaelic prefixes denoting "descendant of."
Due their phonetic similarities, surnames like Hiles, Hils, Hilds, and Heels may be mistakenly considered as variations.
Surname of the same origin as Hills, in terms of being a locational surname, include Fields, Woods, Rivers, and Brooks. Additionally, derivatives of Hills may exist in other languages, like Cols in French, Colinas in Spanish, or Hügel in German. Each of these surnames loosely translates to "hills," sharing the topographical origin, albeit in different languages.
Please note that connections between surnames should not be considered absolute as many common elements in surnames are coincidental and not necessarily indicative of shared origin or familial connection.
Famous people with the name Hills
- Jessica Hills (singer and songwriter)
- Richie Hills (American professional basketball player)
- James Hills (British sports broadcaster, former Formula One test driver)
- Melinda Hills (actress)
- Harry Hills (comedian, writer, and television presenter)
- Philip Hills (English composer and conductor)
- Robert Hills (American politician)
- Michael Hills (British professional boxer)
- Dean Hills (English football goalkeeper)
- Jada Pinkett Smith (American actress, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman)
- Adam Hills (Australian comedian and radio presenter)
- Richard Hills (American film producer)
- Peter Hills (British politician)
- Keith Hills (American professional golfer)
- John Hills (British sociologist and professor)
- Dave Hills (English musical composer and songwriter for films and television)