Surname Hiltons - Meaning and Origin

Hiltons: What does the surname Hiltons mean?

The surname Hilton is of Old English origin and is derived from two elements: ‘hyll,’ meaning "hill," and ‘tun,’ meaning "farm, settlement, or enclosure." Therefore, Hilton can be interpreted as "settlement on the hill." The name is likely topographical, referring to a person who lived in or near such a location. This name dates back to the 7th century and various spellings of the name have appeared throughout history, including Hylton, Hillton, and Helton. The surname Hilton, due to its noble lineage in England, has also had a significant presence worldwide especially prominent in the hotel industry, with Hilton Hotels, a global brand established by Conrad Hilton.

Hiltons: Where does the name Hiltons come from?

The surname Hiltons originates from England and has roots in the medieval era. It is a locational surname derived from multiple places named Hilton in places like Cheshire, Derbyshire, Durham, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire in the country. The name Hilton translates to 'hill settlement' in Old English. It was often given to those who migrated out of a place to reside elsewhere. Each family that moved to a new town would attain the last name of their town of origin, hence the propagation of the name in different regions.

Today, the Hilton surname is quite common in English-speaking countries, with a significant number of bearers in the United States, England, Australia, and Canada. Its popularity in the U.S. is partly due to the prominence of the Hilton family of hoteliers, which include famous personalities like Conrad Hilton and his socialite great-granddaughter Paris Hilton. However, it is still particularly concentrated in Northern England, staying true to its roots.

Variations of the surname Hiltons

The surname Hilton originates from Anglo-Saxon England and thus has various derivatives, alternate spellings, and correlating surnames.

The most common alternate spelling is Hylton, which comes directly from the Old English elements "hyll," meaning "hill," and "tun," which translates to "settlement" or "farm." This spelling tends to be more common in northern England, especially around Hylton Castle in Tyne and Wear.

Another variant is Hilston or Hillston. In some cases, the surname is shortened to Hilt or Hilts. Sometimes, prefixes are added to the surname, resulting in names such as De Hilton. Moreover, due to name evolution, some surnames with possibly the same origins include Hillson and Hilltone.

Lastly, there are likely numerous surnames of Hilton that have been altered or anglicized when ancestors migrated to new countries. Depending on the country, the language spoken, and the phonetics of the name, this could see Hilton become something completely different like Heelton or even Helt.

Further, regional pronunciations and individual person's literacy skills during the time when many surnames became hereditary could have also shaped the surname Hilton's variants.

Famous people with the name Hiltons

• Paris Hilton: Paris Hilton is an American media personality, businesswoman, model, socialite, and singer. She became a famous celebrity after the release of a 2003 sex tape and her appearance in the television reality series The Simple Life alongside her childhood best friend Nicole Richie.
• Nicky Hilton: Nicky Hilton is an American fashion designer, businesswoman, and socialite. She is the younger sister of socialite Paris Hilton. She has appeared in several television shows, such as The Simple Life and its spin-off series, as well as her own reality show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF.
• Conrad Hilton: Conrad Hilton was an American business magnate and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain. He also founded the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports vulnerable children around the world.
• Rick Hilton: Rick Hilton is an American businessman, real estate mogul, and the chairman of the Hilton & Hyland real estate brokerage firm. He is the son of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, and the brother of renowned socialites Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild.
• Barron Hilton: Barron Hilton is an American business magnate and philanthropist. He is the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain. He also founded the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports vulnerable children around the world.
• Kathy Hilton: Kathy Hilton is an American actress, businesswoman, and socialite. She is the mother of Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild. She has starred in various television shows, movies, and music videos. She was a contestant on the 11th season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Other surnames

Hilton