Hirdishorn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Hirdishorn name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family 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 Hirdishorn family

The surname Hirdishorn 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 Hirdishorn family

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

Hirdishorn Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hirdishorn were recorded, including Hartshorn, Hartshorne, Hertshorne, Hertshorn and many more.

Early Notables of the Hirdishorn family

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

Migration of the Hirdishorn family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hirdishorn family emigrate to 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)