Surname Herrick - Meaning and Origin

Understanding the Herrick Surname Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Technical and Accuracy Report

I recently took the iGENEA DNA test, delving deep into my genetic ancestry. The results extended beyond my expectations, throwing light on the geographical dispersion and deep historical roots of the Herrick lineage, notably enhancing my understanding of my surname. My originally perceived British heritage found new links with Scandinavia, thus modifying the narrative of our familial past.

T. Herrick

Herrick: What does the surname Herrick mean?

Herrick is a surname with English and German origins. In English, it is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Eirikr," which became "Eirik" in the Danelaw region of England and ultimately evolved into "Herrick." The name is made up of two elements: "ei," meaning ever or always, and "rikr," meaning ruler or king. Thus, the overall meaning of Herrick can be interpreted as "ever-ruler" or "always king."

In German, Herrick is thought to be derived from "Heer," meaning army, and "ric," meaning powerful or ruler. So, this surname can be translated into English as "powerful army ruler" or "army king." It's important to note that surnames might have different origins and meanings in different countries or regions, and these are only possible interpretations.

Remember that hereditary surnames came in many forms and have evolved over centuries, often influenced by varying linguistic, social, and cultural factors. Thus, the exact meaning of a surname could change or diverge over time and place.

Herrick: Where does the name Herrick come from?

The surname Herrick is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English personal names 'Heregeard', 'Hereweard' or 'Hereheard', which are composed of the elements 'here', meaning army, and 'geard', 'weard', or 'heard', meaning yard, guard or hard. It can also be of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic “O’hEirc” meaning "descendant of Eirc". The surname first surfaced in Leicestershire, England.

This name can be seen in the English speaking world, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, but it is not exclusive to these regions. Notable individuals with this last name include American poet Robert Herrick, and British still-life painter William Herrick. Despite its roots in the UK, according to surname distribution data, the United States currently has the biggest population of people with the Herrick surname, suggesting a degree of historical migration. However, it is still used in its areas of origin in the UK and can also be found in smaller numbers across the globe.

Variations of the surname Herrick

The surname Herrick has multiple variations and spellings due to its representation in various cultures and languages, and resulting from the historical evolution of surnames. Some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Herrick include:

Herick, Hericke, Herrik, Herryck, Heryck, Heric, Herric, Harrick, Harrik, Harick, Hayrick, Herreck, Hearrick, Heerick, Herrik.

Originally, Herrick is suggested to be of Norman origin with ties to the Nordic name ‘Eirikr’, meaning "Ever ruler" or "Eternal ruler". The old English form of the surname, "Hereric", gradually evolved into its present form. The surname Herrick was first found in Leicestershire where the family was granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

The name might have been distributed in different forms across cultures due to linguistic differences, phonetic spelling, or translation requirements, leading to the surname Herrick having many variants and spellings. In the other cultures such as German, Dutch or Scandinavian the surname could take different forms. Please note, the given variants might not always be direct substitutes in every context or culture. Researching individual ancestry is always beneficial for accurate information.

Famous people with the name Herrick

• Augustus Cowles Herrick: American industrialist and banker from the 1800s
• Benjamin Franklin Herrick: Union Army Civil War General
• Blanche Herrick: American novelist and author
• Colin Herrick: English author and journalist
• David Herrick: American entrepreneur and angel investor
• Edward Herrick: British Civil War Royalist
• George Herrick: American painter
• Jean Herrick: American actress
• John Herrick: American Revolutionary War soldier
• Josiah Herrick: American politician and judge
• Luke Herrick: American Olympic swimmer
• Myra Herrick: British educator and feminist activist
• Nathan Herrick: American Confederate Army general
• Robert Herrick: English poet
• Rudyard Herrick: American poet
• Sir Thomas Herrick: British colonial leader in the West Indies
• Wallace Herrick: American artist
• William Herrick: United States Army general officer

Other surnames

HerriceHerriesHerrifordHerriganHerrimanHerrinHerringHerringeHerringslackHerringtonHerriotHerriottHerrity