Surname Harington - Meaning and Origin
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Harington: What does the surname Harington mean?
The surname Harington is of English origin and is a habitational name derived from various places in England, such as Harington in Lincolnshire or Harrington in Northamptonshire. The meaning of Harington can be broken down into its old English elements: "he(a)ring", which means "(place at the) grey/stone ridge" and "tun", which means "settlement or farm". Hence, the entire name loosely translates to "settlement or farm located at the grey or stone ridge". The name became a surname for individuals who lived in or were somehow associated with these areas. It was then passed down generationally. This surname has appeared throughout English history and is associated with significant personalities such as Kit Harington, a renowned English actor famous for his role in the TV series "Game of Thrones".
Order DNA origin analysisHarington: Where does the name Harington come from?
The last name Harington originally hails from England and is believed to have Norman roots. It is a habitational surname, derived from several places named Harrington in England. The place name Harrington, found in Cumbria, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire, combines the Old English personal name "Hafer," and "inga" meaning people of, with "tun," which signifies an enclosure, farm or homestead. So it translates to "the farmstead of Hafer's people."
The surname Harington has different variations including Harrington, Herington, and others. It gained added population when the Royal Losse Coat of Arms was granted to a Harington family in Cumberland, England, in the 12th-13th centuries, and later an influential Harington family served Queen Elizabeth I. A famous modern-day bearer of the surname is Kit Harington, the English actor from "Game of Thrones."
The surname Harington is common in England and its English-speaking former colonies like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. In general, this surname can be found in most parts of the world, but with a higher concentration in English-speaking countries due to emigration.
Variations of the surname Harington
The surname Harington has multiple variants, stemming from various regions and historical contexts. Some of its most commonly observed variants include Harrington, Harrinton and Herynton. The double 'r' spelling is widely accepted, while the variant with a single 'r' suggests a different pronunciation.
Spellings can also be affected by the orthographic standards of different languages and regions. For example, in French versions, the name is often recorded as De Haverington. The prefix 'De' suggests a place origin. Additional phonetic respellings in other languages or dialects can contribute to variations.
The Irish equivalent to the surname Harington is Ó hArrachtáin, which was Anglicized to Harrington. Other surnames such as Harrigan and Herrington may show some connection, but they often come from separate origins. Many Haringtons in the United States changed the pronunciation and spelling of their surname over generations, leading to other variants like Herrington.
Despite these variations, all versions of the name carry a similar historical significance and origin, tracing back to a common geographical area, Harrington, a town in the county of Cumbria in England, formerly a part of the county of Cumberland.
Famous people with the name Harington
- Kit Harington: English actor who rose to prominence for his role as Jon Snow in the HBO series "Game of Thrones."
- John Harington: An English courtier, author and translator popularly known as the inventor of the flushing toilet.
- Deborah Harington: A British actress who is known for her theatre work in London and her role in the TV drama series The House of Eliott.
- Sir Richard Harington, 10th Baronet: A British politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the early 19th century.
- Rose Leslie: Although not a Harington by birth, she is married to Kit Harington and is a renowned actress in her own right, famously known for her role in "Game of Thrones."
- Nicky Harington: British actor known for his roles in "When the Boat Comes In," "The Troubleshooters," and "Blind Terror."
- James Harington Evans: A notable 19th-century English evangelical preacher.
- Sir Nicholas Harington: A prominent member of the English court during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.