Hill Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms

What does Hill mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.

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Origin of the Hill name

Hill comes from the Old English hyll and named someone who lived on or beside a hill. Because such landmarks were everywhere, the name arose independently all over England, and it is among the most common English surnames. In a few cases it comes from Hille, a short form of women's names such as Hilda. Hill is equally common in America.

Our historical archives hold much more on the Hill name: dates, names and records of early bearers.

This overview covers the Hill name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.

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Hill name FAQ

What does the Hill name mean?

Dweller on or by a hill. Common variants include Hills, Hull, Hille, Hillman.

Where does the Hill surname come from?

It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.

Is there a Hill coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Hill crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Hill coat of arms based on historic heraldry.

Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.