Surname Harbor - Meaning and Origin
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Harbor: What does the surname Harbor mean?
The surname Harbor is of English origin and is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived by a sheltered area of water. In Old English, it is derived from the word "herebeorg", which means "shelter or lodgings". This could refer to individuals who lived near a busy port or harbor, or possibly someone who provided lodging or shelter. The name could also be occupational, referring to someone who worked in such an area.
Just like many surnames that originated as nicknames or professions, last names like Harbor also closely link to the history and development of language and society. As family names, they were typically passed down through generations, marking family occupations, characteristics, or locations. Therefore, Harbor could tell an individual's ancestral roots, profession, characteristics, or location. As geographical movement increased, residents often were distinguished by adding their place of origin to their names, thereby necessitating the creation of more surnames like Harbor.
Order DNA origin analysisHarbor: Where does the name Harbor come from?
The surname Harbor is of English origin, stemming from the Old English word "herebeorg", meaning shelter or refuge. This name was often given to someone who lived or worked at a house or lodging. It's similar to the occupational names of the Middle Ages such as Smith, Taylor, or Mason that were accorded based on an individual's profession or location.
The Harbor surname can also be traced to the Medieval English word "harbour" denoting a person who provided a shelter or harborage. It may have been used for a landlord or innkeeper in olden times.
Today, the name has variants known as Harbord and Harber that can be found in the United Kingdom, more particularly in Norfolk and Yorkshire. It has also spread to other parts of the world due to emigration. It's fairly common in the United States, particularly in the states of Maine and Alaska. But, it is not a particularly common last name globally – it is only approximately the 31,854th most frequent surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Harbor
The surname Harbor may come in different variants and spellings depending on its derivative origin, geographic location, and languages. Some of the different spellings of Harbor include Harbour, Harber, Harbord, Harboard, Harbur, Harbot, Harbard, and Harbert.
Some of these variations are commonly influenced by different accents, dialects or phonetic spellings that have evolved over time. For instance, 'Harbor' is more common in American English while 'Harbour' is more commonly used in British English.
The surname Harbor may have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a sheltered area of sea or river, or an occupational name for one who worked at such a place. It may trace back its roots to old English of Germanic origin.
Therefore, other surnames of the same origin may include Harbison, Harbinson, and Harborne, derived from 'harbour' and adding a different suffix. Each of these variants can have a rich history and lineage, tracking back to specific geographical locations and occupations that can offer interesting insights into the family history associated with the Harbor surname.
Famous people with the name Harbor
- Chris Hemsworth: Australian actor best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Brenda Lee: American singer-songwriter, born as Brenda Mae Tarpley.
- Matt Passmore: Australian actor known for his roles in “Satisfaction”, “McLeod’s Daughters” and “The Glades”.
- Sara Paxton: American actress and singer, known for films such as “Aquamarine”, “The Innkeepers” and “Love Wrecked”.
- Jason Momoa: American actor and model, best known for playing Aquaman in DC comics films and Drogo in “Game of Thrones”.
- Donovan McNabb: Former NFL quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Bill Belichick: long-time coach for the New England Patriots.
- Harry Harbourne: English actor and performer.
- John C. McGinley: American actor and comedian, best known for his roles in “Scrubs”, “The Rock” and “Office Space”.
- Courtney B. Vance: American actor best known for his roles in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” and “American Crime Story”.