Surname Herndon - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Herndon Heritage: A Journey of Discovery Through the iGENEA DNA Test
A rush of excitement filled me when I opened the results of my iGENEA DNA test. What unfolded from these checkboxes and charts were a tale of my ancestors, places they originated, and an intriguing history of my surname, Herndon. Emerging from a small English town, my surname traces back to Anglo-Saxon tribes and connects me to the significant British migration wave to North America. On this enlightening journey, I discovered how my ancestral roots maneuvered through history, defining what I am today.
K. Herndon
read moreHerndon: What does the surname Herndon mean?
Herndon is a surname of English origin. It is derived from a place called "Harndon" in England. The name is a combination of the old English words "hyrne," meaning "corner" and "denu," meaning "valley." Therefore, the name is interpreted as "corner of the valley." The places Herndon in Buckinghamshire and Hurneden in Sussex likely gave rise to the surname. Surnames often came from the name of the place where an individual resided or where they originally hailed from. Therefore, those bearing the surname Herndon could trace their roots back to these regions. Over time, the spelling transformed into the current format, Herndon, which is now used in many English-speaking countries. It's important to note that the meanings and origins of surnames can be complex and sometimes speculative, due to changes in spelling and language over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisHerndon: Where does the name Herndon come from?
The surname Herndon is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name in Lincolnshire, England. The name is a combination of an Old English personal name "Her(e)" and the Old English term "dun" meaning hill, essentially meaning "Her's hill".
The earliest instances of the name can be traced back to England, but it became more prominent after being introduced to America by English settlers during the seventeenth century. Today, the last name Herndon is common in the United States, particularly in southern states like Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. The town of Herndon, Virginia, which was named after Commander William Lewis Herndon, a U.S. navy explorer, is a popular association to the name in the U.S. Despite its Anglo-Saxon origin, the surname Herndon is much less prevalent in present-day England.
Variations of the surname Herndon
The surname Herndon is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name located near Northampton in England. Variants of this surname may include Hern, Herne, Hernan, Herndon and Hernden. An alternative spelling could be 'Herndoun.' Considering the nature of spelling and pronunciation changes over time and across regions, other possible yet less common variations might be Erndon, Harendon, or Hirndon.
Most commonly, the surname would be localized in certain geographic areas due to familial clusters. It is also important to note that surnames could be altered upon immigration to English-speaking countries, either to simplify spelling or pronunciation, or because immigration officers misspelled the name. Therefore, variations of this surname could be more widely spread or diversified, especially in countries like the United States with a long history of immigration.
As it's derived from a place name, it's less likely to have cognates or equivalent surnames in non-Anglo-Saxon languages.
Remember, while surnames have roots and historical contexts, people could have also adopted or changed them for a variety of personal reasons, making it hard to track and compile a comprehensive list of variants.
Famous people with the name Herndon
- William Lewis Herndon: An American naval officer, explorer and hero of the Mexican-American War.
- John Herndon: An American jazz drummer, member of Tortoise band.
- Ty Herndon: American country singer and Grammy-nominated artist.
- Mark Herndon: American musician and former drummer for the Florida-based band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
- Joe Herndon: American musician, best known as a former bass vocalist for The Temptations.
- William H. Herndon: American lawyer and biographer, close associate and law partner of President Abraham Lincoln.
- Angie Herndon: American author and motivational speaker.
- Robert "Bobby" Herndon: Mayor of Northport, Alabama.
- Mayme Elizabeth Herndon: African-American social worker and clubwoman.
- Craig Herndon: American photojournalist and writer.
- Saundra Herndon: Former member of the Kansas House of Representatives.
- Everett Herndon: Famous geoscientist.