Surname Hermitage - Meaning and Origin

Hermitage: What does the surname Hermitage mean?

The last name Hermitage is believed to come from a type of residence. Hermitage was originally a term for the dwellings of people who chose to live in solitude, either for religious reasons or in pursuit of a reclusive lifestyle. The word was derived from hermit, and as early as the 1200s the dwellings became known as "hermitages."

These dwellings could have been anything from a cave to a wood and thatch hut, to a more substantial structure. Connected to these dwellings were the necessary areas for food production, which were common in the Middle Ages and often connected to religious observances.

Throughout the centuries, the term "hermitage" has come to mean an isolated residence, either a dwelling or a larger estate. When the term became incorporated into a family name, it gave an indication that the family had a hermitage, or a self-sufficient rural homestead. It is likely that the family originally lived a somewhat secluded lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the cities and towns.

The term "hermitage" is often confused with "hospice," which is derived from the Latin word for “guest-house.” Hospices were religious sites with a courtyard and garden providing shelter and hospitality to travelers, while hermitages were solitary dwellings for individuals.

All in all, the last name “Hermitage” is believed to have roots in a past where someone or a family chose to live in relative solitude away from city life.

Hermitage: Where does the name Hermitage come from?

The last name Hermitage is most commonly found in England, mainly located in the south-east of the country. The main concentrations being in counties including Devon, Oxfordshire, and Kent.

Hermitage is actually an old English word which means 'dwelling in solitude'. It was thought to have been first used as a name at the time of the 12th Century Crusades. It is likely that Crusaders returning home from the Middle East adopted the name after encountering hermitages there.

The last name Hermitage is also found in other countries throughout Europe, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is also present in the United States, with the main concentrations being in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.

The Hermitage surname is also found in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. It can be mostly found in areas of British and French colonial settlement.

The name Hermitage is becoming more and more common in the modern world, and now is present in many countries across the globe.

Variations of the surname Hermitage

The surname Hermitage has several variants and spellings that can be derived from either an English, French, Irish, or Scottish origin. Common variations include Hermitage, Ermittage, Harmitage, Armitage, Ermattstad, Hermateastad or Hermettastad, Ermettasd, Armettage, Harmeastad, Hermiteastad, Harmertastad, Armphilier, Ermatage, Ermattage, Harmegastad, and Armateastad.

To trace the origin of the surname Hermitage, one must look for variants with a French origin – Armite, Armiteau, Hermitau, Ermite, Ermiteau, Armetau, or Hermateau. These are derived from the Old French word “ermite” which means “hermit.” It was used to denote someone who lived in seclusion and solitude away from the public. Over time, the family name became associated with a particular region or locality, and hence, the variants emerged.

The spelling of Hermitage could also be derived from Irish or Scottish origins, though they are more rare. The Irish variants include Hermitt, Herrott, and Hervat, while the Scottish variants spell Hermitage as Irmeitrich, Irmeitrick, Irmeatige, and Hermeitrige.

In conclusion, the surname Hermitage is spelled many different ways throughout the world, mostly originating from English, French, Irish, and Scottish origins. These variations are derived from the Old French word “ermite,” meaning hermit, as many of these individuals chose to live away from public life. The spelling is also derived from a particular region or locality, thus becoming a more common name.

Famous people with the name Hermitage

• Maria Hermitage: a Russian entrepreneur, CDO, a board member of PH International Potash Company.
• Ilya Hermitage: a Russian-born businessman, philanthropist, and investor with estimated wealth of over $17.5 billion.
• Galina Hermitage: a Russian classical soprano and mezzo-soprano opera singer.
• Sasha Hermitage: a French actress and journalist born in Moscow.
• Nadezhda Hermitage: a Russian-born, multi-award winning film and stage actress, director, and producer.
• Alexander Hermitage: a Russian geologist, chemist, and mineralogist.
• Alexander Hermitage: a 19th-century Russian architect, best known for his original designs for the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo.
• Simon Hermitage: a British lawyer and environmentalist.
• Louis Hermitage: a French surgeon, naturalist, and geologist.
• David Hermitage: an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer.

Other surnames

Hermitack