The name
Hillier is Anglo-Saxon in origin and later found in Anglo-Norman
documents. It was a name given to a hellier, or one who
tiles a roof, a
thatcher
or
slater. Interestingly, The Ordinances of Worcester includes the following
early reference: The helynge of their houses, and the dores ben all of wode Also
that non Tylers were called hillyers of the cite compelle ne charge ne make no tyler
straunger to serve at his rule and assignment. The recorded variations of Hillier
include Hillyer, Hilliar and others.
Hillier Family Crest & History
The Great Migration: Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing
to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time.
Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution
abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature
of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America
beckoned.
Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions
to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hillier were among
these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records noted
back to
John Hillier, who arrived in Virginia in 1653. References can be found here ...
United States Settlers
• Isaak Hillier, Virginia 1666
• Martha Hillier, Virginia 1714
• Mary Hillier, S. Carolina 1728
• Richard Hillier, New York, NY 1796
• Anna Hillier, New York, NY 1796
Noteworthiness’
• James Hillier (1915-2007), Canadian born American physicist who was a major contributor
to the development of the electron microscope
• Tristram Paul Hillier (1905-1983), British artist
• Paul Douglas Hillier (b. 1949), British conductor, director, and singer (baritone)
• Bevis Hillier (b. 1940), English art historian, author and journalist