Surname Herriman - Meaning and Origin
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Herriman: What does the surname Herriman mean?
The surname Herriman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a topographic name for someone who lived on a patch of slightly raised or elevated land within a marsh. The name is derived from Old English terms "hyrnan" or "hyrian", which mean "to run", and "holh", meaning "hollow or hole". These terms were often used in a topographical context in Old English, and in this instance, may have referred to a location that stood out within marshy terrain. Like many surnames, original Herrimans were likely known by this name to distinguish them from others living in a different area. Over time, this place-associated name would have become their family name. It's also possible that some people gained the name in a nickname or occupational context. Surname meanings can often be speculative as they usually come from language practices over a thousand years ago. The name Herriman is not very common and has variants including Harryman, Herryman, and Horriman.
Order DNA origin analysisHerriman: Where does the name Herriman come from?
The surname Herriman is of German origin. It's derived from the German personal name "Herrmann", composed of the elements “heri,” meaning “army,” and “mann,” meaning “man.” Thus, it translates roughly to “warrior” or “army man.” This name was popular among the knights and warriors in medieval times. The name was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066, and found particularly in regions dominated by the Normans like Essex and Yorkshire.
However, Irish bearers of the surname are of both English and German descent as during the 17th century, Herriman families crossed over to Ireland during the Cromwellian Settlement.
Today, the name appears to be more common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. But it is also found to some extent in Germany. It's important to note that the spelling variations of the name (such as Herriman, Herrington, Harriman, Herrman, and Heereman) are plausible due to the phonetic spelling of names in Middle Ages and may be found in different regions.
Variations of the surname Herriman
The surname Herriman is of an Old German origin. The name could have evolved from variant spellings of personal names such as Herman, Hermann, or Harman.
Several variations and spellings for the surname Herriman could be Hereman, Herrman, Hermon, Herman, Herrmann, Hermanson, Heereman, Herriman, Harman, Harmin, Harmen, Hermin, Harmanson, and Harmonson.
Related surnames of similar etymology could include Heermann, Herr, Herra, Herre, Herres, Herrs, Hearman, and Harimon.
The spelling of last names often changed over time and sometimes varied based on the country or even within regions of the same country. Changes were often due to phonetic transcriptions, language shifts, or migration. It's important to consider all these possible variants when doing genealogical research. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other variants or related surnames may exist.
Famous people with the name Herriman
- George Herriman: An American cartoonist best known for his comic strip "Krazy Kat." His work was a significant contribution to the development of the medium and still influences many artists today.
- Max Herriman: An Australian filmmaker known for his work on various documentaries and award-winning films.
- Jon Herriman: A managing director at Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm.
- Luke Herriman: A musical director known for his work with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
- Wally Herriman: A former American heavyweight boxer who competed in the 1920s.
- Willie Herriman: Played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers.