Surname Herriot - Meaning and Origin

Herriot: What does the surname Herriot mean?

The last name Herriot is of Norman origin and is believed to have been derived from a nickname for a fast runner, from the Old Norse "heri", meaning "hare", and "hlaup", to "run". Thus, it may be translated to "hare runner" or "hare leaper". The term was commonly used in medieval England to refer to a messager or courier who was renowned for their swiftness. Whatever the true origination, the surname gradually transformed into various forms, such as Herriard, Harrod, Harriott, and Heriot. Within the surname Herriot, it may often be found with different variations of spelling due to the way phonetic spelling changed over time within different regions. One of the most famous individuals with this surname is James Herriot, a British veterinarian and author known for his books about animals and their care.

Herriot: Where does the name Herriot come from?

The surname Herriot is of French origin. It primarily originated from the coastal region of Normandy. The name is derived from the popular Norman given name “Herri,” with the suffix “-ot” denoting “son of.” Thus, Herriot roughly means “son of Herri.”

In ancient medieval records, the surname is often found in the variation of “Heriot,” “Herrioth,” and “Herryet.” Despite its French origins, the surname was brought to Scotland around the 11th or 12th century during the Norman Conquest, and it became firmly established there, particularly in Midlothian.

Today, the surname is most commonly found in Scotland and England. One notable bearer of this last name was James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, a British veterinary surgeon and writer whose works were tremendously popular. This has increased the popularity and recognition of the surname.

The name is less common in the United States and other parts of the world, but it can still be found among descendants of Scottish, English, and French immigrants. Overall, it remains a fairly uncommon surname globally.

Variations of the surname Herriot

The surname Herriot is of Scottish origin, derived from the medieval personal name Harry. Its spelling variations can be Harris, Harries, Harrhy, Harry, Harrie, Harrow, Harrower, Hare, Heriot and Harriot. It’s important to note that the same surname could originate independently from multiple locations and therefore not all Herriots would be related.

The word "Herriot" was also used to describe a form of payment during the medieval period in Scotland, specifically 'a render upon the death of a tenant'. Therefore, it could also have been a name given to someone who collected these payments. The use of this word could have also influenced the spelling and variations of the surname.

Overall, spelling variants were caused by illiteracy amongst those charged with recording the name, accents, and region-based pronunciation differences. An individual's name could be spelled differently each time it was recorded. Alternations of the surname Herriot which may stem from the same root include Hairyet, Hariot, Harriet, Haryatt, Harriot, and Heryet.

Additionally, there are several surnames that some researchers think might be associated with Herriot including: Herry, Herries, and Herieth.

Famous people with the name Herriot

• James Herriot: real name James Alfred Wight, he was a British veterinary surgeon and writer best known for his books about his remarkable experiences as a veterinarian in 1930s Yorkshire.
• Noel Herriot: was a British playwright and theatre director in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Heloise Herriot: French actress best known for her role as Juliette in the 1985 drama film “The Lover.”
• Roy Herriot: British Impressionist painter who specialized in landscapes.
• David Herriot: Scottish sculptor known for his bronze figurative works.
• Herriot John: Canadian-born Hollywood producer who served as the president of the International Academy of Motion Pictures in the 1970s.
• George Herriot: Scottish architect best known for his design of several buildings for Edinburgh’s New Town in the mid-19th century.
• William Herriot: British soldier and naval officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Vice-admiral after his service.
• John Herriot: 19th century Scottish geologist and naturalist who wrote several books pertaining to the history and geography of Scotland.
• Alexis Herriot: French aviator and engineer, once the chief designer for the French Air Force.

Other surnames

HerriceHerrickHerriesHerrifordHerriganHerrimanHerrinHerringHerringeHerringslackHerringtonHerriottHerrity