Surname Hiles - Meaning and Origin
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Hiles: What does the surname Hiles mean?
The surname Hiles has English origins and was first found in Yorkshire, England. A variant of the name "Hill," it is topographic, derived from the old English term "hyll," implying someone who lived near a hill or an elevated area. An occupational origin is also given where it indicates a person who worked in such an area, like a herdsman or shepherd. Thus, Hiles is a locational and occupational surname, signifying some geographic feature near where the original bearer once resided or his occupation. As with many surnames that became hereditary quite long back in history, it's crucial to note that the original meaning may not hold a direct connection to the present generation carrying the name. Additionally, the spelling of surnames was typically not standardized until recent generations, various spellings of the name include Hiles, Hyll, Hyle, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisHiles: Where does the name Hiles come from?
The surname Hiles is generally believed to have originated from England. It appears to be a topographical surname, describing someone who lived by a hill or hills, derived from the Old English word "hyll". Other theories suggest it could be a variant of the surname "Hill", or possibly a patronymic surname meaning “son of Hile”, derived from a personal name.
Today, the surname Hiles is most commonly found in the United States, followed by Australia and the UK according to publicly available records. However, it does not appear to rank among the most common surnames in any of these countries. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the surname Hiles ranked just under 9,000 for commonness in the United States. Therefore, while the Hiles surname is found across many English-speaking parts of the world, it is not exceedingly common in any particular country. It is relatively more prevalent in the states of Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania within the United States.
Variations of the surname Hiles
The surname Hiles has several variant spellings, origins, and related surnames due to phonetical similarities. Hence, when tracing back the etymology and genealogy of the surname, researchers may encounter diversity in its representation.
Some common spelling variants of Hiles include Hyles, Heiles, Hyels, and Hiels. These spellings could have emerged due to various reason such as clerical errors, illiteracy, transcription errors, and local dialect influence. It's not uncommon for the same family to have their surname spelled in different ways in different documents.
The surname Hiles likely originated from the British Isles and Germany. It is believed that the name may have been derived from topographical references, indicating someone who lived by a hill or hillock, or from the medieval personal name "Hild" which means "strife" or "battle." Other researchers propose that it was an occupational surname given to hill dwellers or shepherds.
Families with surname "Hills" or "Hill" may also be associated with Hiles due to both surnames possibly originating from the same geographical feature. Similarly, the surnames Hilde, Hildebrand, Hildreth, and Hileman that incorporates the personal name "Hild" could share a common origin. However, it's important to remember that similar sounding or similarly spelled surnames may not always have the same origin. Each surname needs to be individually evaluated for its unique origin and history.
Famous people with the name Hiles
- Dave Hiles: Professional baseball player and coach who represented the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball.
- David Hiles: Former professional football player who played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Ginger Hiles: American actress and model best known for her roles in All My Children, Field of Dreams and Strange Heaven.
- Bill Hiles: Former boxer who competed in the heavyweight division in the early 1900s.
- Robert Hiles: American actor and comedian who has had roles in films such as The Hangover and Vacation.
- Mary Hiles: American country music singer who had a short career in the 1960s and 1970s.
- John Hiles: British historian known for his work in the fields of English and American history.
- Brandon Hiles: Musician and composer known for his work with the bands The Vibe and The Syndicate.
- Scott Hiles: American actor who has had roles in films such as Mud, You, Me and Dupree and Hot Pursuit.
- Spencer Hiles: Soccer player who played for the Canadian Men's National Team in the late 1980s and early 1990s.