Surname Hubbard - Meaning and Origin

Embracing Ancestry: How the IGENEA DNA Test Altered My Perception of the Hubbard Surname and My Family Identity

Examining my genetic makeup through the IGENEA DNA test has profoundly influenced my perspective on my surname, Hubbard, and my overall family identity. It has revealed my family's origins in Northwestern Europe and provided a newfound respect for my ancestry and the historical journey that my family has experienced.

S. Hubbard

Hubbard: What does the surname Hubbard mean?

The surname Hubbard is of English origin and emerged during the medieval period. The name is derived from the personal name Hubert, which means "bright heart" - 'Hugh' meaning heart or spirit and 'beorht' meaning bright or famous. The personal name was popular among the Normans and got anglicized into Herbert and Hubert after they arrived in England during the 11th century. As a surname, "Hubbard" was often used in the Middle-England spelling variant "Hubba". The name gained popularity through St. Hubert of Belgium, the patron saint of hunters in medieval times. The bearers of the surname 'Hubbard' might not have any familial ties, as in medieval England, surnames were often formed by adding suffixes to personal names, and children were named after popular saints or after a master in the case of slaves. Some of the early records of this surname include Walter Hubert in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire in 1195, and John Hubard in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296.

Hubbard: Where does the name Hubbard come from?

The last name Hubbard originates in England, and it is derived from the Old English personal name, Hugibert, which is composed of the elements hug, meaning "heart or spirit", and berht, meaning "bright or famous". The name is first recorded in the early 13th century and several variations have been noted over time such as Hubert, Hubbert, and Hobart.

The name travelled to the United States and other parts of the world alongside English migration. Today, it is most common in the United States, where it ranks as the 855th most common surname in the country. In England, it is concentrated in the East Midlands, particularly in Lincolnshire. Additionally, the surname is also found in Canada and Australia, though less commonly.

Variations of the surname Hubbard

The surname Hubbard is of Anglo-Saxon and Nordic origin, deriving from the Middle English personal name Hubert. It has several variations and spellings due to regional accents, translations, and errors in transcriptions over centuries. Variations of the surname Hubbard include Hubert, Hubbert, Hibbert, Hibberd, Hibard, Hibbart, Hobart, Hobert, Hibberdene, Huband, Hubaud, and Hubball.

Due to a historical pronouncement of ‘h' as ‘igh’ in certain English dialects, Hibbert and Hibberdene developed as surname variants. Similar phonetic trends led to Hoberd and Hobart.

Nicknames and diminutive forms of Hubert, such as Hub, Hubb, and Hubba, became surnames, creating Huband, Hubaud, and Hubball. Over time, some families have simplified their surnames, which have evolved into Hubbard.

The original surname Hubert was Anglo-Saxon but gained popularity in Nordic countries as well, producing versions like Hjorth and Hjort, derived from a Norse word meaning "hart" (a stag).

It's also important to consider the effects of immigration on the surname, with spelling often changed to accommodate different languages and pronunciations. For example, French or German immigrants could have modified Hubbard to Hebert or Hubert.

These numerous variations highlight the linguistic evolution and geographical dispersion of the surname Hubbard.

Famous people with the name Hubbard

• L. Ron Hubbard: Best known for founding the Church of Scientology, he was also a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy stories.
• Elbert Hubbard: American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. He was an influential leader in the Arts and Crafts movement.
• Freddie Hubbard: An American jazz trumpeter who was considered one of the best in his field.
• Hubbard Family: Known for the popular country music band called "Ray Wylie Hubbard."
• Mother Hubbard: Although a fictional character, Mother Hubbard, as in Old Mother Hubbard from the nursery rhyme, is unmistakably famous.
• Ty Hubbard: Contemporary Christian music recording artist.
• Gus Hubbard: The longest-serving mayor of a town in the United States, serving Manchester, Vermont, for 35 years.
• Mina Hubbard: A nurse and adventurer, known for her exploration of Labrador, Canada.
• John Hubbard: an American television and film actor in the mid-20th century.
• Gardiner Hubbard: An American lawyer, financier, and philanthropist who was a founder and the first president of the National Geographic Society.
• Harlan Hubbard: An American artist and author, known for living a life of voluntary simplicity.
• Alice Moore Hubbard: An American feminist, writer, and, the wife of Elbert Hubbard.

Other surnames

Hubbart