Surname Hull - Meaning and Origin
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Unforeseen Findings: The iGENEA DNA Test and an Uncommon Perspective on the Hull Surname
The results from my iGENEA DNA test have proven to be a compelling exploration of my ancestry, throwing light on the ancient origins of my surname, Hull. The unexpected turns and fascinating revelations have added new dimensions to my understanding of my lineage.
T. Hull
read moreHull: What does the surname Hull mean?
The last name Hull is primarily of Scottish origin and is primarily a territorial name stemming from the lands of Hull in Ayrshire. The name Hull is likely derived from the Old English language and means either 'hill' or 'hollow'.
Hull is an especially popular name in the north of England and Scotland, particularly in cities such as Leeds and Edinburgh. The presence of the surname in these cities suggests the family associated with the Hull surname has seen a long and varied history in the area, with the Hulls relocating and settling in many of Northern England’s most populous cities.
The family motto associated with the Hull surname is 'Endure fort’, and the name is also associated with the heraldic crest of a fretted heart on a green mount, which is displayed on many of the related family’s family crests and coats of arm.
Despite its illustrious past, today the Hull family surname is most common in Australia, where it is the 117th most popular last name, and to a lesser extent in southern England, where it is the 241st most common family name.
It is also popular in Scotland, particularly in the west of the country and areas like Edinburgh. This suggests the Hulls have been spread across Scotland for generations, and as such, have left a lasting mark on the country’s culture and history.
Order DNA origin analysisHull: Where does the name Hull come from?
The last name Hull is derived from the Old English word ‘hull’, meaning a hill or rounded mound. As a result, the name is most common in locations with topography that historically resembled this - namely the British Isles. In the United Kingdom, Hull is a common surname in England (particularly the north, with concentration in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and Northumberland) and in Wales. It is also found in Scotland (including the Shetland Islands) and Northern Ireland. Outside Europe, the surname is also common in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, having been popularised by English and Welsh emigrants who moved to these countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the US, the King James Bible Belt and certain areas of the Midwest are particular strongholds for the Hull surname. Furthermore, Hull is a particularly common name in Canada, especially its eastern provinces (particularly Ontario). Today, it is one of the top 250 surnames in the United Kingdom and one of the top 500 in the United States.
Variations of the surname Hull
The surname Hull is most likely of English descent and may have several variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin. The most common variants of the surname Hull include Hall, Hill, and Hohl.
Hall is the most common of these variants, having been recorded as far back as the thirteenth century in England. It is derived from the Middle English word "halle", which in turn comes from the Old English "heall", meaning "hall" or "manor". It is also thought to have been commonly used as a nickname for a proud and strong man, derived from the Middle English "hal, hol" meaning, respectively, "proud" and "strong".
Hill is another common variant of Hull, deriving from the Old English personal name "hyll", which also became a common place name. It is thought to have been used as a nickname for someone who lived on a hill or for someone with a hilly nose.
The last common variant of Hull is Hohl, which is a Germanic variant of the same surname. It is derived from the Germanic word "hol, hohl," meaning "hole" and may be seen as a topographical name for someone who lived by a hole or ditch.
There are also several surnames of Scandinavian origins that are derived from Hull, including Hul, Hel, Holme, Holma, and Hylle. These variants are thought to have come from the Old Norse word "holmr" meaning "island". It is known that many Scandinavian settlers adopted the English surname Hull and modified it to the Scandinavian versions.
Famous people with the name Hull
- Bobby Hull: A retired Canadian ice hockey player known for his time with the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets and his work to make hockey more popular in the United States.
- Ginger Hull: An American writer and independent publisher best known for her books about social issues and current events.
- Helen Hull: An American mathematician, considered the first female professor of mathematics in the US, and the first female president of the American Mathematical Society.
- Catherine Hull: An American actress, best known for her roles in the movies The Hitchhiker, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.
- Rachel Hull: An American journalist, who was the first female reporters at the Los Angeles Times and the first female sports editor for the same newspaper.
- William Hull: An American politician who was the third Governor of Michigan and the Commander of the 1st Michigan (the “Wolverine”) Infantry during the War of 1812.
- Rachael Hull: The first female oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.
- Omar Hull: An American actor, known for his roles in the films The Pink Panther, The Nutty Professor, and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
- Eleanor Hull: British author and classical scholar best known for her highly influential work on Greek and Roman mythology.
- Laetitia Hull: An Australian actress, best known for her roles in the television shows Neighbours, H20 Just Add Water, and Wonderland.