Hertshorn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Hertshorn is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the parish of Hartshorne, in the diocese of Lichfield and the county of Derbyshire. "This manor, called in Domesday Book Heorteshorne, then belonged to the family of Ferrers. " 1 The place name literally means "hill thought to resemble a hart's horn," from the Old English "herot" + "horn." 2

Another source explores the name in more practical terms, "the horn of the hart or male deer; an emblem or sign over a shop or inn, whence the name, 'Will at the Hartshorn.' " 3

Early Origins of the Hertshorn family

The surname Hertshorn was first found in Derbyshire, where the source "Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I." listed: Henry de Hertishorn; and Richard de Hertishorn (Henry III-Edward. I.) (4

Early History of the Hertshorn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hertshorn research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Hertshorn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hertshorn Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hertshorn has been spelled many different ways, including Hartshorn, Hartshorne, Hertshorne, Hertshorn and many more.

Early Notables of the Hertshorn family

More information is included under the topic Early Hertshorn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hertshorn family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hertshorns to arrive in North America: Susannah Hartshorn, who sailed to America in 1744; Dr. Hartshorne, who came to Boston, Massachusetts in 1764; Mary Hartshorne, who came to Pennsylvania in 1771.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)