Hays Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Hays Name Meaning: Locational for a number of places named 'Hayes',i.e 'Hayes in 'Kent',recorded as 'Hese'.

The old English term is 'Haes',meaning 'brushwood' or 'underwood'.

Discover how your Hays ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Hays Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Hays family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 110
Female Servant 52
Labourer 52
Independent 40
Male Servant 27
Farmer 24
Frame Work Knitter 20
Coal Miner 18
Shoe Maker 12
Silk Weaver 11
Cotton Weaver 10
Weaver 10
Tailor 8
Baker 7
Cotton Spinner 7
Publican 7
Gardener 7
Dress Maker 6
Blacksmith 6
Silk Winder 6
Pauper 6
Butcher 6
Potter 5
Apprentice 5
Mason 5

Hays Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Hayes 80% 124,333
2 Heyes 60% 17,180
3 Heys 75% 15,004
4 Hays 100% 12,538
5 Hoyes 60% 3,873
6 Hase 50% 1,843
7 Hayse 80% 641
8 Hyes 50% 621
9 Haase 60% 278
10 Hoys 75% 219
11 Haze 50% 181
12 Heayes 67% 174
13 Heays 80% 144
14 Hasse 60% 131
15 Haasse 50% 100
16 Haighs 50% 100

Did you know?

The surname Hays is the 4th most popular variant of Hayes.

Search for the Hays family