Surname Harrington - Meaning and Origin

A Journey back in Time: Discovering the Heritage behind the Harrington Surname through the iGENEA DNA Test

Through the iGENEA DNA test, a journey of ancestry discovery unfolds, hailing surprising revelations tied to the surname Harrington, revealing royal roots and a new world of connections.

T. Harrington

Harrington: What does the surname Harrington mean?

The last name Harrington is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily has geographical roots. It is derived from a place name in England. The name is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "haer" and "ing", meaning grey and tribe respectively, an “tūn” meaning town or settlement. Thus, it roughly translates to "settlement or town of the grey tribe", likely being descriptive of the people or the location from where they hailed. The surname dates back to the early medieval period in England, and locations such as Harrington in Lincolnshire and Cumberland played a role in the development of the name. Over time, the name has had variations in spelling, including Harington, Hetherington and more. The Harringtons have been a part of British nobility and the name is spread across various countries due to emigration, especially to North America and Australia. Today, the name Harrington is held by many, including those with no ancestral connection to the original bearers.

Harrington: Where does the name Harrington come from?

The surname Harrington originates from England, particularly from places called Harrington in Lincolnshire and Cumbria. The name refers to 'Haferingas tun', translating to the farm/village of the Hafer's people. The name Hafer stems from an old Norse name, essentially making it a Viking name.

The Harrington surname became prominent during the Middle Ages, and over time, it spread to Ireland during the Norman conquest in the 12th century. It is also found in Scotland due to these historical migrations.

Today, the Harrington surname is quite common in English-speaking regions such as the United States, the United Kingdom (particularly in Lincolnshire and Cumbria), Canada, and Australia. It is also found in Ireland due to historical cross-migrations between the two countries. In the United States, states with a high population of Harringtons include Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Despite its English origins, the Harrington name has become multicultural, adopted by various ethnic groups migrating to English-speaking countries, making it common among diverse populations.

Variations of the surname Harrington

The surname Harrington is predominantly rooted in Anglo-Saxon origins and generally traces back to individuals who lived in or around regions named Harrington in England. Variants and spellings can vary, primarily due to changes in language, regional dialects, and the evolution of written records.

Variants and spellings for Harrington can include: Harington, Herrington, Herington, Harrinton, Harringdon, Heryngton, Harringtown, Haringtone, and Arintone.

There may also be derivatives from other languages, like the Irish Ó hArrachtáin, which is sometimes Anglicized as Harrington. However, this is rarer and not directly related to the English name in most instances.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, Harrington is closely tied with regional place names. There are locations called Harrington in Cumbria, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire in England. As such, families bearing these surnames from these regions may have overlapping histories, even if there aren't more direct name variations. It's common for people to be named after their place of origin in old English culture, which makes tracing specific surname variations more challenging.

Famous people with the name Harrington

• Kit Harrington: Famous for portraying Jon Snow in the popular TV series "Game of Thrones."
• Desmond Harrington: Best known for his roles in "Dexter" and "Gossip Girl."
• Jay Harrington: Known for his performances in TV shows like "Better Off Ted" and "Desperate Housewives."
• Michael Harrington: A renowned American socialist leader and author.
• John Harrington: NASA astronaut who flew on STS-66 as a mission specialist.
• Laura Harrington: An actress known for her roles in "A Soldier's Tale," "The Devil's Advocate," and "Drop Dead Fred."
• John Peabody Harrington: A well-known linguist and ethnographer recognized for his work on Native American languages.
• Rebecca Harrington: An acclaimed author, journalist, and satire writer.
• Joel Harrington: A historian and Professor of History at Vanderbilt University.
• Tessie Harrington: An Irish actress known for "Breakfast on Pluto" and "The Octagon."
• Patricia Harrington: A known American mystery writer.
• Padraig Harrington: An Irish professional golfer who has won three major championships in his career.
• Dan Harrington: A professional poker player, known for winning the main event world championship at the 1995 World Series of Poker.

Other surnames

HarringHarringtin