Show ContentsSt-Hilaire History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the St-Hilaire family

The surname St-Hilaire was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they were formerly seated in the barony of Saint Hilaire de Sancto Hilario. The first of the name was James de Sancto Hilario who held the castle of St. Hilaire about the year 1100. James, who was the son of Harsculf de St. James who also held the castle of St. Hilaire, was the first to adopt the name of his castle for his surname. Saint Hilaire du Harcourt is in Manche in the arrondissement of Mortain, the canton of St. Hilaire du Harcourt.

Over in Cornwall, England evidence was found of a migration there as St. Hilary is a parish of some size. "This parish is indebted for its present name to St. Hilary, bishop of Poictiers, who was driven into Phrygia for his attachment to the rectitude of faith, and invincible adherence to the doctrine of the godhead of Christ. He was banished in the year 556, but was recalled about the year 560, and died at Poietiers about six years afterwards. At what particular period this parish first assumed the name of its patron saint, is rather uncertain ; but it is known to have been distinguished by this appellation early in the fourteenth century." 1

Early History of the St-Hilaire family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our St-Hilaire research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1373, 1412, 1689 and 1770 are included under the topic Early St-Hilaire History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

St-Hilaire Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: St. Hilaire, Saint Hilaire, Hilaire, St-Hillaire, Saint-Hillaire, St-Hillier, Saint-Hillier, St-Hylaire, Saint-Hylaire, St-Hilary, Saint-Hilary, D'Hilaire and many more.

Early Notables of the St-Hilaire family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early St-Hilaire Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

St-Hilaire Ranking

In the United States, the name St-Hilaire is the 7,452nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name St-Hilaire is ranked the 357th most popular surname. 3


United States St-Hilaire migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

St-Hilaire Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jean St. Hilaire, who settled in New Orleans in 1757

Contemporary Notables of the name St-Hilaire (post 1700) +

  • Dr. Marc St-Hilaire, Director of the Geographic History Laboratory at the University of Laval
  • Dr. Robert StHilaire, orthopedic surgeon


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec


Houseofnames.com on Facebook