The oldest record which names the village is dated 963 AD. It records a grant of land in Sherburn-in-Elmet and nearby settlements by King Eadgar to Aelsac as a reward for goods and services. The land granted in Hillam is described as, "on Hillum tyesra oxena gang" meaning "in Hillam two oxgangs". An oxgang was the related to the amount of land an ox could plough in a year and is roughly equated to 15 acres.
The village is served by a public house, The Cross Keys, winner of Leeds City Council Business in Bloom Gold award in 2007 and Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Award in 2007. The Ring Tree is lit at Christmas and local children gather to enjoy a Christmas celebration each year. Due to disease the flowering horse-chestnut tree was felled in May 2016 and replaced with a Whitebeam tree in November 2016. Hillam Historians restored the village pump in Hillam Square during 2006. Hillam Square retains its red telephone box. In spring 2017 a defibrillator was installed.
Transport
Hillam is situated just over 6 miles west of the market town of Selby. It lies 2 miles east of the A1 motorway junction 42, and 4 miles north of the M62 junction 33, at Ferrybridge. The A63 road, Leeds to Selby, runs parallel to the northern boundary of the parish. The York and North Midland Railway passes to the west of Hillam. There is a level crossing known as Hillam Gates. The spot is popular with railway enthusiasts.
Community
Hillam News, the village magazine, is distributed to each household every two months. Hillam News gives details of recent and forthcoming events, news, comment, current affairs and a precis of Hillam Parish Council meeting minutes. See http://www.issuu.com/hillamnews for archive and the latest issue. Community activities are supported by the Monk Fryston and Hillam Community Association. Cultural, educational and social community activities are held at the Community Centre and Village Children's Playground. Primary education needs are served by Monk Fryston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. The school has 198 pupils between 4 and 11 years of age. The Parish Church is St Wilfrid's Church, Monk Fryston.
Sport
Hillam has a successful Cricket team which competes in the Wetherby League Divisions 2 and 4. Hillam and Monk Fryston Cricket Club's ground is noted for a tree at the boundary. Cricket has been played in Hillam over 100 years, and is very much a community activity, with all ages representing both teams. Hillam Pond, known locally as the Brick Pond, is located to the west of the village. It holds a variety of coarse fish including Carp, Perch, Common Roach, Eel, Bream and Tench.
