Surname Herriott - Meaning and Origin

Herriott: What does the surname Herriott mean?

The surname Herriott is of Scottish origin. It is derived from a pet form of the personal name Henry. In Old German, Henry translates to 'home ruler,' which consists of two elements: "haim" or "heim" which means 'home' and "ric", meaning 'power' or 'ruler'. Therefore, indirectly, the surname Herriott may be interpreted as 'home ruler'. Like many surnames, over the centuries, its spelling has seen numerous variants such as Harriot, Heriot, Herriotte, among others. Additionally, it is also associated with the French surname "Heriot", derived from the term "heriaus", meaning 'army' in Old French. It must be noted that the meanings of surnames can vary depending on their cultural and historical contexts, and thus, might not hold true universally.

Herriott: Where does the name Herriott come from?

The surname Herriott is of Scottish origin, deriving from the old personal name "Henry," therefore meaning "son of Henry" or "kin of Henry." The name is predominantly found in the form of 'Heriot' in Scotland. Apart from Scotland, where the name originated and still remains relatively prevalent, the surname also made its way to England following the Norman Conquest. Thus, variations can also be found in England.

The most famous bearer of this name was James Herriot, the pen name of British veterinary surgeon Alfred Wight, whose semi-autobiographical stories were beloved around the world. Due to his international fame, the name is also recognized, though not necessarily common, in many English-speaking countries. Therefore, the surname Herriott, along with its derivatives and spelling variations, is predominantly found today in Scotland, England, and to a lesser extent in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Herriot(t)s in these regions are likely descendants of Scottish and English emigrants.

Remember, however, that global migration and population dynamics can drastically change the current distribution of any surname. Overall, the prevalence of the surname Herriott is relatively low.

Variations of the surname Herriott

The surname Herriott and its variants are Scottish. This name is of patronymic origin, deriving from the personal name "Henry". Over the years, spelling and cultural changes have produced many variants of this name. Alternate spellings and surnames with the same origin as Herriott include Herriot, Harriot, Harriett, Harritt, Herritt, Harriott, Harriotte, Harriote, Harriote, and Harriett.

The name Herriott and its variants were likely very often transformed into Harrison, a last name that combines the name "Harry" (a diminutive form of "Henry") with the suffix "-son". The similar-sounding names Herlet, Harlett, and Herridge may also be connected to this family of names in some cases.

The similar French name, Heriot, may also be connected or might have influenced the spelling of the English/Scottish versions, especially as it was the name of several notable figures in history. It should be noted, though, that the French name is most likely of a different origin, probably occupational (derived from the work that a person did).

As with many names, regional variations can also exist, and some versions may have been more popular in different regions or during different periods.

Famous people with the name Herriott

• Nicholas Herriott: an American actor best known for his roles in The Affair, Godless, and As the World Turns.
• Thomas Herriott: a British actor who has appeared in television shows like Doctor Who, Silent Witness and The Bill.
• Robert Herriott Jr: an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker who has won numerous awards and written acclaimed documentaries such as The English Patient, Zero Six Bravo and Inside the encampment.
• Jim Herriott: a former professional American football player who played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Robert Herriott: a British actor and producer who is best known for his work on the radio show Old Harry's Game and for playing Lord Squadron on Jackanory.
• Neil Herriott: a British actor who has worked on the TV show The Apprentice and various films.
• Arthur Herriott: a British stage and screen actor best known for his roles in the 1950s films The Boys from the Blackstuff and Wedlock House.
• C. Daniel Herriott: an American composer and film score writer best known for his music in the films 28 Days, Four Rooms and The Hunted.
• David Herriott: an Australian actor and director who has starred in films such as The Water Diviner, The Lifestyle and False Witness.
• William Herriott: a British organist and composer best known for his organ works and choral music.

Other surnames

Herriot