Surname Herred - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Herred: What does the surname Herred mean?
The last name Herred does not have a well-defined meaning because it is not tied to a specific language or culture where a definitive meaning could be derived. It appears to be of Nordic or Scandinavian origin, mainly found in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In Danish, "herred" is an old term referring to a division of land, roughly equivalent to a hundred in England or a canton in Switzerland. The name may have been used to denote someone who lived in or was in charge of such a division. This, however, is speculative, and the true origin and meaning of the name Herred might be different or unclear. Due to the variety of languages and cultures globally, surnames often have multiple potential origins and meanings. Every family's history, migration patterns, and blending of cultures can add unique context to the interpretation of a surname.
Order DNA origin analysisHerred: Where does the name Herred come from?
The surname Herred is of Scandinavian origin. The name is topographic, referring to someone who lived by a patch of ground that was notably higher than its surroundings, derived from the Old Norse word "herrað" meaning district or region. It is also possible that in some cases it could be of occupational origin, for a town official, since 'herred' denoted an administrative district in Scandinavia.
The Herred surname is not very common. The name is found in countries with a history of Scandinavian immigration, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, but its occurrence is sparse. In the United States, people bearing the Herred surname are primarily found in Midwest states. In Australia, the name is found mostly in the south-eastern region. Nevertheless, it is possibly most common in its countries of origin, Norway and Denmark, but the frequency remains relatively low even there.
Speaking about Scandinavia, there are several places named Herred: Vejle municipality in Denmark used to be called Vejle Herred, while in Norway, there's Risør og Søndeled Herred, a former municipality in Aust-Agder county.
Variations of the surname Herred
The surname Herred appears to be of Scandinavian origin, possibly derived from the term "herred" which was used to denote a Viking administrative region or district. Variations of this surname may have been influenced by geographical location, local dialect and spelling practices of the time.
Variant spelling for the surname Herred could include: Hered, Harrad, Harred, Herrod, Horrod, Harrud, and Herad. There may also be possible connections to other Scandinavian surnames with similar origins, such as Hørred or Hørud.
Other surnames that refer to the same device of Viking administrative division include the names Hurst, Horst, and Hirst, which are of Anglo-Saxon origin and refer to a wooded hill, possibly tying into land markings used in territorial divisions.
However, due to the mutable nature of surnames throughout history and the influence of various cultural practices and languages, it might prove challenging to map a definitive lineage and a comprehensive list of variants for this surname without conducting in-depth genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Herred
- Jennie Herred: Danish singer/songwriter
- Mike Herred: Canadian stand-up comedian
- Gerd Herred: Norwegian writer and illustrator
- Stine Herred: Danish singer/songwriter
- Paul Herred: American artist
- Beverly Herred: American dancer and choreographer
- Eva Herred: Danish artist
- Petter Herred: Norwegian lawyer and politician
- Björn Herred: Swedish philosopher
- Per Herred: Norwegian diplomat and ambassador