Surname Hermitack - Meaning and Origin

Hermitack: What does the surname Hermitack mean?

The last name Hermitack is of German origin and translates to mean “humble” or “humbleness.” It may also reflect a personal quality or life philosophy of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.

The specific origin of the name is uncertain, but it is found most frequently in the region of Brandenburg, Germany. Hermitack is often associated with families of farmers, whose skill and hard work enabled them to be self-sufficient and independent.

The Hermitack surname provides a glimpse into the lives of one’s ancestors and the values they held in high regard. It can be assumed that those who bare the surname take pride in their independent, humble nature, and value the concept of personal strength and self-sufficiency.

Hermitack might also be a name adopted by an ancestor who adopted a solitary lifestyle and chose to live humbly away from society — an uncommonly brave decision that may have been a way of life for many members of a family.

The Hermitack name carries on the tradition of self-reliance and hard work, as well as a sense of humility and recognition that independence and success have to be earned through patient and diligent effort.

Hermitack: Where does the name Hermitack come from?

The last name Hermitack is not particularly common today. It is most often found in the United States, though there are some occurrences in other countries as well. The family is likely of German origin, though its exact origin is unclear.

In the United States, Hermitack can be found in places such as Oregon, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The individuals with this last name typically live in small towns and rural areas, and are often multiple generations removed from when the family first arrived in the United States.

Hermitack is not a particularly popular last name. It is not included in the U.S. Census Bureau's list of the top 1,000 most common surnames, and it appears in fewer than 1,500 U.S.-based white pages listings. The name also has a fairly low representation on genealogical websites, with less than 200 members registered on the leading family history platform, MyHeritage.

Overall, Hermitack is an uncommon last name today. It is likely derived from German roots, and, while it does appear in the United States, it remains largely a family name with little public recognition.

Variations of the surname Hermitack

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hermitack are: Hermitage, Hermitag, Hermitek, Hermyteck, Harmiteck, Hemiteck, Hemittack, Hermeitack, Hermetage, Hermittage, Hermytage, Harmitage, Hemitage, Hemittage, Hermiteack, Hermyteack, Harmiteack, Hemiteck, Hemiteack, Hermeitack, and Hermittack.

The pre-medieval spelling of Hermitack is ‘Hermyttack’, derived from the Old English word ‘hyrmete’, meaning ‘tower’. This is an indication of either a place or office of residence, residence in a tower or fortress, or simply a seeker of solitude in a tower or fortress.

The French variant ‘Hermetage’ is associated with the Old French ‘hermétique’, meaning ‘to hide’ or ‘seclude oneself’. This can be related to hermitage which was mainly used for religious retreats and ‘hermitage’ became the more popular variant of ‘Hermitack’ during the Middle Ages.

The names Hemiteck, Hemittack, Hemitage and Hemiteack can be associated with the German language, in which the words ‘hemmen’ and ‘hemmen’ mean ‘to keep’ or ‘protect’ and ‘www.ittack’ which means ‘attacker’. This variant indicates a tower or fortress with a de facto protector or guardian.

In Irish surnames, a close variant to Hermitack is ‘Hermeitack’, derived from the Gaelic ‘rodáil’, which means ‘a fort in a mountain’ or ‘strong house’. This hints at a tower or fortress occupied by a recluse.

The Welsh variant Armiteck can be related to the Welsh ‘dirmyg’, which means ‘guarded’, this indicating the notion of protection.

As such, Hermitack has a long and varied lineage, showing an evolution from its Old English sourced variant ‘Hermyttack’ to the many variants of today. The many spellings and surnames originating from the same source speaks volumes of its long-standing tradition.

Famous people with the name Hermitack

• John Hermitack: American professional basketball player who played for the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
• Lawrence Hermitack: Canadian novelist and poet who won the 1975 Governor General's Award for poetry for his book "The Interval of Images".
• Paul Hermitack: retired American skier who participated in the 1976 Winter Olympics and was a four-time national champion.
• Brian Hermitack: American professional basketball player who played for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.
• Sean Hermitack: Canadian two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Glyn Hermitack: Welsh film composer and arranger who has made music for films such as "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Horse Whisperer".
• Bob Hermitack: American professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers of the MLB.
• Michael Hermitack: German physicist who has studied the effects of electromagnetic fields on matter.
• Rick Hermitack: American professional golfer who won the 1988 PGA Tour Championship.
• Ken Hermitack: American professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks of the NBA.

Other surnames

Hermitage