Surname Halfpenny - Meaning and Origin
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Halfpenny: What does the surname Halfpenny mean?
The surname Halfpenny has its origins in Middle English. It is derived from the personal name "Haldepen". It was originally used as a nickname for a person who was very parsimonious, meaning they were stingy with money or possessions. This is due to the term "halfpenny", which was a small amount of money in England during the Middle Ages.
The Halfpenny surname can be found in records dating back to 1268, when Thomas de Haldepen is mentioned in the Nottinghamshire County outfits. Other variations that have been found include "Haldepen", "Haldeppen" and "Halfpennie".
The Halfpenny surname is quite common in Britain with origins in England and Wales. It is most commonly associated with Derbyshire. In recent centuries, many members of the Halfpenny family have left England to start a new life in America. The Halfpenny's still living in England today mainly populated the counties of Essex, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Today, the Halfpenny surname is still relatively common in the British Isles. It is the 331st most common name, with an estimated 13,960 people in the country sharing it.
The Halfpenny surname is an interesting reflection of the past, for it is a reminder of the old English penny that could be divided into several parts. It is a name that has seen many generations of proud Halfpennys and is sure to continue for many more years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisHalfpenny: Where does the name Halfpenny come from?
The last name Halfpenny can be found in countries throughout the world today. The majority of people with this surname can be found in England and Wales. In England, the Halfpenny surname is most commonly found in the East Midlands region, particularly in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. It is also fairly common in Lincolnshire and south-west Yorkshire.
In Wales, Halfpenny is most common in Carmarthenshire and the surrounding area of South Wales. In Scotland, Halfpenny can be found largely in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
A significant number of people with the Halfpenny surname can also be found in the United States and Canada, particularly in the south-eastern states of Virginia, West Virginia, and North and South Carolina. Additionally, the name is popular in other parts of the North America such as Manitoba in Canada and around San Antonio, Texas in the United States.
Immigration to the United States has meant that this name is now much more widespread and can also now be found across Australia, New Zealand, and other countries across the world. It is particularly popular in the New Zealand cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
In total, Halfpenny is known to be found in over 40 countries across the world. The surname is especially important in the people of England and Wales where it is believed to have originated centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Halfpenny
Halfpenny is a surname derived from Old English, originally spelled as Halepen, halpende and halpand, and is believed to have originated from numerous places in the North of England. A Halepen was named in a document from 1379, and in 1396 a Halpand lived in the Norwich Subsidy Rolls.
The variants and spellings of Halfpenny include Halepen, Halpende, Halpand, Hallepenny, Halpenny, Halfpennye, Halfpennye, Halpen, Halpeny, Halpine, Halpyne, and Holpenny.
Those with the surname Halfpenny may also be familiar with similar surnames such as Halfpennyrise, Halfpenn, Houpenny, Hopenny and Halfpennie.
For those who trace their Halfpenny roots to Scotland, they may also recognize the surname of Hawthorn, which derives from a corruption of the term Halepen, as the surnames Halfpenny and Hawthorn share a common descent.
In Ireland, the Halfpenny surname is sometimes found as O’Halfpenny. This variant derives from the Irish Gaelic O’h-Almhain, which was brought to Ireland by Norwegian settlers in the 1600s, and directly translated as “descendant of Halepen”.
In the United States, the surname of Halfpenny is also found in the form of Hawpenny, and may have derived as a result of the combination of the name Halepen and the English ‘haw’, meaning hedge.
Famous people with the name Halfpenny
- Tara Halfpenny: a musical theatre actress and singer who has appeared in various musicals in her native England.
- Sean Halfpenny: an Australian television actor, best known for his roles in Home and Away and All Saints.
- Billy Halfpenny: a British singer and songwriter known for his work with the band The Feeling.
- Aled Halfpenny: a Welsh rugby union player who plays with the Scarlets in the Pro14.
- Blake Halfpenny: an English rugby union player, who currently plays for the Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Union competition.
- James Halfpenny: an English cricketer, active from the 2013 season to the present.
- Paul Halfpenny: a professional golfer and two-time winner on the European Tour.
- Millie Halfpenny: an actress and presenter from England, known for The Voice Kids UK and Jungle Run.
- Liam Halfpenny: a Welsh Paralympic swimmer, currently representing Great Britain at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
- Kerry Halfpenny: a British actress, best known for appearances in the television series Holby City.