Surname Harewood - Meaning and Origin
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Harewood: What does the surname Harewood mean?
Harewood is an English surname, originally derived from a compound of the Old English elements "har," meaning "grey", and "wudu," meaning "wood". Thus, the surname is typically considered as signifying a dweller at, or someone from, a grey-colored woodland area. The name might have been originally used to identify individuals who lived near such an area.
However, it is also the name of a location, Harewood, in the county of Yorkshire, England, and is also associated with a place of the same name in West Yorkshire. Hence, some bearers of the surname could also have been named for their links to these places. It's important to note that the interpretation of surnames is not an exact science and it often involves speculation based on historical linguistics and geographical indications.
Its bearers include several famous persons such as British actor David Harewood and Barbadian politician Louis Tull. Over time, with movement and migration, the surname Harewood has spread beyond England and is now found in various parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHarewood: Where does the name Harewood come from?
The surname Harewood is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered to be a geographical name, derived from a place in West Yorkshire named Harewood. The name Harewood translates to 'Hare Wood', denoting a place where hares were seen frequently. It is composed of two Old English elements: "hara", which means hare, and "wudu", which means wood. Also, variant forms of the name include Harwood and Herwood.
Today, Harewood is common in England, particularly in the regions of West Yorkshire where its origins lie. It has also spread to other parts of the British Commonwealth, making it somewhat common in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Another place where it is fairly common is in the United States, thanks to the migration of English people. Hence, it is safe to say that the surname Harewood is most common in English-speaking countries. Notable people with this surname include the British actor David Harewood and West Indies cricketer Desmond Harewood.
Variations of the surname Harewood
The surname Harewood is of English origin, primarily derived from places such as Harewood in West Yorkshire or Harwood in Lancashire, Durham, and some other areas in England. Given its geographical origins, there appears to be slight variations in the spellings based on regional dialects and phonetic transliterations over time.
Variants of the surname may include Harwood, Harward, and Herewood. It's also possible to find the surname split into two words, like Hare Wood.
It should be noted though that surname spellings were often fluid prior to the 19th century, with literacy levels, regional accents, and translation playing a big part in the ways names were officially recorded. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to categorically state that certain variants pertain to the same original surname.
For each variation, there are likely existent further derivatives caused by marital combinations, matrilineal naming traditions, or possibly the addition of location-based or occupation-based prefixes or suffixes.
Given the surname Harewood's relatively low frequency and high regional specificity, it's less likely that common alternative English surnames, such as Howard or Haywood, are variants of the same origin, although they may share phonetic similarities.
Famous people with the name Harewood
- David Harewood: A British actor, known worldwide for his roles in "Homeland" and "Supergirl". He was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to drama in 2012.
- Dorian Harewood: An American actor recognized for his roles in “Full Metal Jacket” and “Roots: The Next Generations”. He has also garnered fame for his voice roles in various animated series and video games.
- Jessica Harewood: An American actress, who is known for her role in "Black Lightning".
- Autumn Harewood: Another American actress, known for her work in "Doctor Who" and "The Passing Bells".
- George Harewood: An English professional footballer who played as a striker for various clubs in the Football League.
- Annette Harewood: A notable Canadian actress, known for her performances in productions such as "This is Wonderland" and "Zoe Busiek: Wild Card".
- Cedella Harewood: An athlete from Trinidad and Tobago who specializes in the high jump and represented her country in 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Lloyd Harewood: A former Barbadian cricketer who played internationally for the West Indies.