Show ContentsHerewere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Herewere Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Herewere

What does the name Herewere mean?

The name Herewere finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a harrower, a person who worked in the fields and was originally derived from the Old English harwen, which meant "to harrow." 1

Harrowing a field is the process of breaking up the earth after plowing so that seeding may take place. In the Middle Ages, this was done with a wooden frame studded with spikes and disks dragged over the field by a team of oxen.

Early Origins of the Herewere family

The surname Herewere was first found in Essex where Geoffrey Haruer was recorded in 1255. From this earliest entry, we move to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275, where Geoffrey le Harewere was listed in Norfolk. Later, Ralph le Harewere was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327, and John Harower was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2

Much further to the north in Scotland, Harrower was "a surname common to Fife and district. 'The first of this name is described as a Flemish gunner; it may be a form of Harmwijn.' William Harower or Herwart had a charter of the office of keeper of the king's muirc and cunningare in Crail in liferent in the reign of David II. Robert Harwar was burgess of Perth, 1440, and 'Sir' John Harwar who was vicar of Cortochquhay in 1452 may be the John Harwar, chaplain, mentioned in 1455." 3

Early History of the Herewere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herewere research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1464, 1465, 1506, 1512, 1519, 1524, 1535, 1536, 1561, 1603, 1698 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Herewere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herewere Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Herewere has been recorded under many different variations, including Harrower, Harower, Harewere and others.

Early Notables of the Herewere family

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

Migration of the Herewere family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Herewere or a variant listed above: John Harrower, who sailed to Virginia in 1774.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Houseofnames.com on Facebook