Show ContentsHilmer Surname History

The name Hilmer is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the name Hildemar. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Hilmer family

The surname Hilmer was first found in Huntingdonshire, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Hilmer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hilmer research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1273 is included under the topic Early Hilmer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hilmer Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hilmer include Hillmer, Hilmer, Hillmers, Hilmers, Hillner and many more.

Early Notables of the Hilmer family

More information is included under the topic Early Hilmer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hilmer migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Hilmer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Herm Heinr Jos Hilmer, who arrived in America in 1850 1
  • Henry Hilmer, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1858 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Hilmer (post 1700) +

  • William C Hilmer, American college professor


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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