Surname Hear - Meaning and Origin
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Hear: What does the surname Hear mean?
The last name Hear is of Scottish origin and its meaning can be traced to the Middle Ages and the Celtic culture of Scotland. The name Hear is derived from the Gaelic word 'haer', meaning 'terrorism'. It is believed to have been the war cry of a Scottish clan and was used to nail enemies.
The name Hear is distinctive and still in used in Scotland today. It may refer to a person who has a strong sense of justice and loyalty, a leader of men, or a person who isn't afraid of standing their ground. It is a descriptive term that could point to physical attributes or to a particular character trait.
The Hear name has many variations and is spelled differently across different countries and cultures. These variants include Har, Hearr, Haire, Heer, Herr, Heir, Hair, Hairr, Hayer, Harr and Hare. In terms of modern derivatives, the English speaking world knows the Hear name as Hare and Hearne, while some use Hear and Hearne interchangeably.
The Hear family name is both an ancient and honoured name, and one that has been around for centuries. It is a strong and proud name, one that has come to represent strength, courage, loyalty, and a sense of honour.
Order DNA origin analysisHear: Where does the name Hear come from?
The last name Hear is most commonly found in the United States today, especially in the southeastern states. This is likely due to the fact that several of the earliest Hear immigration records to the United States were from the southern states. The Hear family in America traces its lineage back to Yorkshire, England in the 1600s. Many members of this family group traveled to America to settle in colonial times, including both Massachusetts and Virginia. From these original founding families, the lineage of Hear spread out across the entire eastern seaboard of the United States with many members settling in rural areas throughout the Southeast and Maryland.
Today the Hear surname is scattered throughout the south but is particularly common in states such as Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. According to the United States Census Bureau, Hear is the 8,941st most common surname in the United States, with roughly 14,000 people bearing the name in 2000. Around 81 percent of these individuals called the southern states home.
Unique to the Hear surname is the homeownership rate among the family members, with nearly 63 percent of the population owning their own home in 2000. This suggests a level of financial stability that the Hear family has been able to maintain over its history. As the Hear family continues to pass on their unique surname, it is likely that it will remain just as common today as it was centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Hear
The surname Hear has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origins, which are typically found in English-speaking countries.
The most common variant is Hearne, and Hearnes is an alternative spelling. Other surnames which come from the same root are Hearn, Hearns, Hern, Harns, Harne, and Harn.
Many anglicized versions of the surname also exist, These include Haran, Halin, Harney, Haron, Hannan, Harrington, Heron, Herron, Hernes, Horn, Kearn, Kearney, O'Hearne, O'Haran, O'Horn, and O'Hara. These modifications ultimately came about as a result of the various dialects spoken in the English language over the years.
The surname Hear can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it began as a personal name derived from the Old English heri or heari meaning “soldier” or “army man.” Later, the name became a descriptive byname given to a brave and courageous person. Today the name is associated with many different countries, regions, and cultures that have used the surname in different ways.
In conclusion, the surname Hear has multiple spellings and variants, as well as several surnames with similar origins that have developed over time. These include Hearne, Hearns, Hern, Harne, Harns, Haran, Halin, Harney, Haron, Hannan, Harrington, Heron, Herron, Hernes, Horn, Kearn, Kearney, O'Hearne, O'Haran, O'Horn, and O'Hara.
Famous people with the name Hear
- Gary Hear: Canadian singer-songwriter
- Melissa Hear: British fashion model
- Fred Hear: American country and western singer
- Pam Hear: Australian actress
- Sarah Hear: British singer-songwriter
- Mike Hear: American entrepreneur and investor, co-founder of Estately
- Angela Hear: Canadian author, speaker, and coach
- Duane Hear: American retired professional basketball player
- Eliot Hear: American actor, comedian, writer and producer
- Rob Hear: American professional ice hockey player