Surname Hearring - Meaning and Origin
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Hearring: What does the surname Hearring mean?
The last name Hearring finds its roots in Old English and is thought to be derived from the phrase 'haer-ingy,' meaning 'having herds of goats.' This name was likely used to indicate a person who worked in goat herding or dealing with livestock. Over time, the spelling has evolved and the name Hearring can be found in England, Scotland, Netherlands, and Germany.
Hearring is a family name that is most likely attributed to the job of herding goats. Goats were essential for sustenance and as a source of milk and meat. Often, they were kept in large herds and so having the skill to effectively herd them was something that was especially valued in a surname.
The Hearrings are thought to have first settled in Scotland in the 15th century before spreading to the British Isles, Northern Germany, and the United States in the 19th century. In the United States, specifically, the Hearrings are most prominent in the southeastern states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The Hearring name carries a connotation of hard work and determination, as herding goats is no easy task! People with this name are likely resilient and persistent, making them great problem solvers. Those of the Hearring name can proudly carry their name and its legacy forward to generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisHearring: Where does the name Hearring come from?
The last name Hearring is primarily found in the northwestern United States today. The earliest traces of the Hearring name can be found in ancestors that migrated through Oregon during the mid-1800s and were believed to have originated from Europe. However, today's Hearring surname is most predominantly found in the greater Seattle area of Washington, as well as in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and California.
The Hearring name in Washington State can also be found among members of the Lummi Nation in Whatcom County. It is not known for certain if these Hearring ancestry lines are connected with the original European settlers.
The Hearring surname is not found in very large numbers within the United States, or any other country for that matter. However, it can easily be found listed in a variety of state records, census records and vital documents. Using these records, genealogists and family historians can trace the Hearring ancestry lines as far back as the late 1800s.
Unfortunately, there is very limited information regarding the Hearring surname prior to this time. With patients, a solid research plan and access to reliable genealogy resources, however, records do exist that can help family historians discover more about their Hearring ancestors.
Variations of the surname Hearring
The Hearring surname has several variants which can be used to trace the ancestry of the family. The most common spelling of the surname is Hearring, with the final “g” being dropped in some cases, resulting in Hearrin. Other spellings of the surname include Herring, Harring, Hairring, Herringen, Herringer, and Harriger.
These variants are not only caused by spelling differences in different parts of the world, but can also be attributed to phonetic changes over time. For example, the transition from Herring to Hearring is based on the pronunciation of certain vowel sounds in England. Similarly, the addition of a “g” in Harring can be attributed to a regional dialect in some areas of the country.
There are also several related surnames, stemming from the Hearring family, including Herrington, Herringer, Herringman and Herringston. Each of these surnames derived from the Hearring family in different ways. Herrington, for example, is an Anglicized version of the Irish family name O’hEarrainga, while Herringman and Herringston are sons of Herring, or Hearring, surnames.
Overall, the Hearring surname has many variants, spellings, and related surnames, which can help trace the family tree of Hearring families throughout history. Whether someone is searching for Hearring or Herring records, understanding and being aware of these variants, spellings, and surnames can broaden the scope of their research, and help them connect to their Hearring ancestry in a more meaningful way.
Famous people with the name Hearring
- Frank Hearring: Australian politician
- Steven Hearring: American microbiology professor
- Jeffrey Hearring: former director of the British Imperial War Museum
- George Hearring: American sailor in the South Pacific during World War II
- Alice Hearring: British business executive and philanthropist
- Arthur Hearring: Bishop of Southwark from 1887 to 1911
- Montgomery Hearring: New Zealand artist and singer
- Charles Hearring: American electrical engineer
- Bill Hearring: New Zealand racing driver
- Daniel Hearring: American country music singer and songwriter