Hill is a topographical surname, which likely originated to describe someone who lived on or near a hill (Old English hyll). Another theory is that Hill developed from Hille, the Medieval nickname for Hillary or Hilger. An early record of this name can be found in a c.1200 Grant in Devon, where William de Hille was named.

Variations include Hille, Hul, Hell, Hile, Hills.

In the 1881 UK Census, Worcester­shire was the county with the highest population of people with this name.