Surname Harville - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Harville: What does the surname Harville mean?
The last name Harville is of English origin. It is believed to have been derived from the old English name "Here-weald", which is composed of two elements. "Here" meaning army and "weald" meaning ruler or power, thus the name translates to "ruler of the army". This might suggest that the original bearers of the name were military leaders or held some high-ranking position within an army. The surname Harville has undergone several variations over the centuries due to factors such as regional accents and illiteracy, resulting in different spellings such as Herivel, Harvill, Harvell, among others. Like many surnames of the time, it likely began as a given name before transitioning into a surname. While the exact location of its origin is unclear, it is thought to be from the north of England. Today, people around the world bear the Harville name, with concentrations in the United States and United Kingdom. As with all surnames, each Harville family would have its own distinct history and lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisHarville: Where does the name Harville come from?
The surname Harville is of English origin, possibly from the towns of Harwell in the English counties of Oxfordshire or Essex. Harwell in Oxfordshire's name derives from the Old English word 'hearwa', meaning 'temple', and 'well(a)', meaning 'spring' or 'stream'. Meanwhile, Harwell in Essex gets its name from 'hoer', an Old Danish term for 'greystone', and 'well(a)'.
Some references suggest that the last name Harville may also have French roots, evolving from the name Herville in Normandy. The distribution map of the Harville surname shows its prevalence in the United States, with a significant presence in the southern states that include Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. However, the name can be found within families throughout the United States and in other English-speaking countries. The variations include Harvill, Harville, Hurville, Hervey, and more.
Please note this surname's exact origin might not be fully known due to the multiple potential sources. The common thread is that it appears to be rooted in a geographical feature, indicating a 'place from where someone comes’ or ‘lives at’.
Variations of the surname Harville
The surname Harville is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a geographical name derived from a place called "Harville", likely from Old French. Some of the variants and similar surnames from the same origin include Harvell, Harvill, Harvel, and Harvells. These variations in spelling can be due to a number of reasons; pronunciation, regional influences, transcription errors from handwritten census data, and Anglicization of names on immigrants' arrival in new countries.
There is also a possiblity that over time, families related to or descended from original Harville bearers may have changed the spelling or amended the name in some way, leading to more variations. Historical evidence shows that even within the same family and over the life of an individual, spellings can vary significantly, primarily due to the fluidity of spelling rules and literacy levels in past centuries.
However, 'Harville' in any variation is relatively uncommon, making it more unusual than many surnames of Anglo-Saxon origin. Therefore, an exhaustive list of variants may not be excessively long but largely dependent on individual family histories and regional practices.
Famous people with the name Harville
- Harville Hendrix: He is a notable clinical psychologist and author, primarily known for the development of Imago Relationship Therapy, a form of couples therapy.
- Helen LaKelly Hunt: Although not with Harville as her last name, Helen is known for creating the Imago Relationship Therapy with her husband, Harville Hendrix. She is also a recognized author and social activist.
- Richard Harville: An influential professor of law, Richard Harville is especially known for his work on environmental law.
- Robert Harville: A respected composer, pianist, and music professor.
- Bernard Harville: An accomplished physicist noted for his contributions to theoretical physics. Note: There are not many famous personalities with Harville as their last name as it isn't very common. The above are the most significant figures we could find.