Show ContentsHerdsghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Herdsghan

What does the name Herdsghan mean?

The name Herdsghan is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a guardian of cattle or sheep. The surname Herdsghan is derived from the Old English word hierdeman, which means herdman.

Early Origins of the Herdsghan family

The surname Herdsghan was first found in Norfolk, where Osbert Hirdam was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. A few years later, Simon le Hyrdeman was found in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1181 and John le Herdman, Walter Herdman were found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1

The Herder variant is very rare but in this case, Nicholas le Herder was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327; and John Hurder was listed in Somerset in 1333. The name is derived from the Middle English word "herden," or "hurdern," literally meaning "to take care of, to tend," from the word "herdman." 1

Early History of the Herdsghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herdsghan research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1268, 1272, 1273, 1307, 1524, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Herdsghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herdsghan Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Herdsghan include Herdman, Herdsman, Hurdman, Heardman, Herder, Hearden, Herden, Hirdman and many more.

Early Notables of the Herdsghan family

Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Herdsghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Herdsghan family to Ireland

Some of the Herdsghan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Herdsghan family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Herdsghan were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Lawrence Herder,who settled in Newfoundland in 1706; John Erdman who sailed to Philadelphia in 1737; G. Herder in Texas in 1836; Philip Hearden to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1851.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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