Surname Hogarth - Meaning and Origin

Hogarth: What does the surname Hogarth mean?

Hogarth is a surname of English origin. It is considered to be topographical, meaning it related to physical features of the landscape, taken from a place name or from a geographical feature. It is derived from two old English words: "hogg" meaning young sheep or pig and "garth" meaning an enclosure or yard. So, "Hogarth" can be interpreted to mean 'an enclosure for hogs or young sheep'. During the middle ages, surnames were often derived from a person's occupation or trade, so the ancestors of people named Hogarth may have been swineherds or shepherds. This name has become famous through the renowned English painter and printmaker William Hogarth, who is best known for his series of moral and satirical works.

Hogarth: Where does the name Hogarth come from?

The surname Hogarth is of Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from Northern England. It specifically stems from an Old Norse personal name, "Hogge," combined with "geard," which means enclosure or yard. Thus, Hogarth could mean "Hogge's yard." The earliest known record of the name is from the late 13th century in Yorkshire.

In the 19th century, the name became well-known due to English artist William Hogarth. His major works, moral and satirical arts, significantly influenced western sequential art.

Today, the name Hogarth is most common in England, specifically in the areas of North and Yorkshire. Aside from England, the name also spread to other regions such as Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States, primarily due to emigration. According to Forebears, a site dedicated to genealogical research, the surname Hogarth is most prevalent in England and highest per capita in Scotland.

Variations of the surname Hogarth

The surname Hogarth might have variations and spellings which include the following: Hoggart, Hoggard, Hoggarth, Hogart, Hoggert, Hogard, Hoggurt, Hogertia, Hogarton and Hoggarthy.

These variants may have originated from regional dialects and spellings common to specific areas where the surname is found, such as in Scotland, England and Ireland. Over time, individual and community preferences, transcription errors, and migration may also have resulted in the evolution and differentiation of the original surname.

The surname Hogarth is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a geographical location – specifically, a farm or homestead where hawks were reared. An early record of the surname Hogarth, in the form of "Hogard", was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379.

Names of the similar origin may include the surname Hogg, which also has an Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from an old English word for 'hog', often used as a nickname for a swineherd or a wild and untamed person. It's worth noting that the accuracy of spelling and surname variants can vary largely due to historical record-keeping and transcription conventions and errors.

Famous people with the name Hogarth

• William Hogarth (1697-1764): Artist and engraver in the 18th-century known for his satirical works of art.
• Jules Hogarth (1951-present): An actor who is best known for his roles in The Love Bug, The Two Jakes, and Hook.
• Brian Hogarth (1944-present): An English actor and writer best known for his role in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders.
• Michael Hogarth (1922-present): A British sailor who represented his home country at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
• Antony Hogarth (1913-1996): A British Royal Air Force officer during World War II, who was one of the most decorated servicemen of the conflict.
• Thomas Hogarth (1749-1819): An English painter who exhibited at the Royal Academy and became known for his portraits, landscapes, and history paintings.
• Richard Hogarth (1946-present): A British painter and sculptor whose works have been exhibited around the world including in Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
• Margaret Hogarth (1890-1977): An American photographer and documentary filmmaker who was a major figure in the mid-20th-century art world.
• Michael Hogarth (1940-2005): A British politician and businessman who represented Scottish constituencies in the House of Commons.
• Jonathan Hogarth (1985-present): An English actor, known for playing a series regular in the 2006 sitcom The Inn Crowd.

Other surnames

HogardHogart