Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Hither

      Origin

      English, Potentially Derived from Old English

      Meaning

      Here or to This Place

      Variations

      Aither, Hether, Het-heru
      The term hither is an archaism derived from the Old English word hither, which translates to here or to this place. It indicates a direction toward the speaker or a specific location, emphasizing proximity. The term is primarily used in a literary context, often to evoke a sense of formality or antiquity. While its use has diminished in everyday conversation, it retains a distinct connotation of movement or arrival toward a defined point.

      Historically, hither was a common term in Middle English and was widely used in literature and legal texts. It appears frequently in the works of notable writers like William Shakespeare and John Milton, reflecting the vernacular of their time. Over the centuries, as the English language evolved, the term gradually fell out of common usage, replaced by more contemporary and simplified expressions such as here or to this place. However, its historical significance remains, illustrating the linguistic shifts that have shaped modern English.

      In modern contexts, hither is rarely encountered outside of literary, poetic, or stylistic applications. It often appears in period dramas, historical fiction, and works inspired by classical literature, serving to create an archaic atmosphere or to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Additionally, hither is sometimes used in playful or ironic ways in contemporary writing, tapping into its historical weight while contrasting it with modern vernacular. Despite its decline in everyday language, hither endures as a term of artistic expression and historical reference.

      Based on our records...

      Jackson

      Jackson

      This is the most common surname associated with Hither.
      Bennie

      Bennie

      This is the most common name of those married to a Hither.
      Bobby

      Bobby

      This is the most common name for a child of a Hither.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1916 is when there were the most people born with the first name Hither.

      Explore the origins of another name.