Surname Hare - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Familial Journey: Discovering the Anglo-Saxon Roots and History of the Hare Surname through iGENEA DNA Analysis

There is an old adage, "Know from whence you came." The path to my past took me to iGENEA, a DNA testing service, aiming to dig deeper into the origins and history of my family name, Hare. This journey not only connected me to my ancient Anglo-Saxon roots but also gave a whole new perspective towards appreciating my identity and personal heritage.

H. Hare

Hare: What does the surname Hare mean?

The surname Hare has multiple possible origins and meanings. It could be derived from the Middle English term for the animal "hare," and used as a nickname for a timid or fleet-footed person, similar to other surnames derived from animals. Alternatively, it could come from the Old English "Hara," which means "grey," or "Har," meaning "army," indicating a possible military background. The surname could also potentially have a geographical origin, referring to someone living by a hare's meadow or field. Some family lines with the surname may trace back to Germanic or Irish origins. It is also worth noting that the surname has multiple spelling variations such as Hair, Haire, and Heare. Like many surnames, the specific meaning can differ based on each family's historical context.

Hare: Where does the name Hare come from?

The surname Hare is of Anglo-Saxon English origin, primarily derived from the Old English "hara," meaning "hare" or "rabbit." It was likely used first as a nickname for a swift runner or a timid individual, and then evolved into a surname. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aelfricus Hare, which was dated 1095 in Old English Bynames of Suffolk, England.

Given this historical origin, the surname Hare remains most common in Great Britain, particularly in England. However, centuries of migration and the growth of the British Empire have spread the surname globally. Today, it is also reasonably common in the United States and Australia.

The surname also exists in Ireland, albeit from a different origin story. Here, the surname Ó hÍr, which roughly translates to descendant of Ír, was anglicized to Hare. Despite these separate sources, whether English or Irish, all variations of the Hare surname now intermingle globally.

In addition, the surname may also have Ashkenazi Jewish origins, related to the Hebrew word "har," meaning mountain. Hence, it is found among Jewish communities worldwide.

Variations of the surname Hare

The surname 'Hare' is of Irish origin and there are several variations, alternate spellings, derived from the original Gaelic O'hIr. Some of the more common variations include O'Hare, Hair, Hehir, Hayer, Hehr, Haare, and Haire. Also, due to migration and localization, the same family name might have evolved differently in various regions. For example, O'Hehir, O'Hare, and O'Heaire are seen in different parts of Ireland.

There are other surnames pronounced similarly, but they may not share the same origin as 'Hare'. These include Hayer (of German origin), Hare (of English origin, derived from the animal hare), and De La Hare (of French origin). Please note that although these names might sound alike, their roots and meanings are often different owing to cultural and geographical differences. For example, the English version of 'Hare' is occupational, referring to one who trapped and sold hares. On the other hand, the Irish origin 'Hare' might refer to a descendant of the Gaelic chieftain.

Surname variations and spellings continue to evolve over time due to factors such as migration, language development, or scribal errors.

Famous people with the name Hare

• Raymond Hare: An American diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and Egypt.
• Miriam Hare: British children's author, playwright and director.
• Graham Hare: Known as an art director for multiple BBC programs.
• Gilda Hare: British actress known for her work in the 1920s.
• Peter Hare: Renowned professor of philosophy.
• David Hare: A well-known British playwright and theater director.
• Cyril Hare: A popular English crime writer.
• Tim Hare: An American football player.
• Emily Hare: Known for her illustration work in the fantasy genre.
• R.M. Hare: Influential British moral philosopher.
• Toby Hare: British rower who represented his country at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
• Merlin Hare: British Royal Navy officer in World War II.
• Eugene Hare: American football player.
• Brett Hare: A national basketball player from Australia.
• Mark Hare: Known for his work as a journalist.
• Lenny Hare: A professional baseball player.
• Jake Hare: CEO of Launchpeer.
• Robert Alner: Racehorse trainer, born Robert Hare.
• Nikita Hare: Social media influencer.

Other surnames

Har-TalHaraHaraburdaHaradaHaraghyHarahoeHarakkaHaralsonHaranHarangozoHarasimowiczHarberHarberdingHarbersHarbertHarbertsHarbesonHarbinHarbinsonHarbisonHarbodtHarborHarbothHarbottHarbourHarbowyHarbrechtHarbstHarcenkoHarcha