Surname Harmon - Meaning and Origin

Harmon: What does the surname Harmon mean?

The last name Harmon is of German origin and can be traced back to ancient Medieval times. It is derived from a German personal name, which is composed of two elements: "heri" meaning 'army' and "man" meaning 'man', so the overall meaning could be 'army man' or 'man of the army'. This suggests that the original bearers of this surname most likely had a strong military heritage. The name also has a history of being influenced by the French name "Hermant", which is similar in pronunciation. Over time, variations of this name such as "Herman", "Harman", and "Harmon" have evolved. It is not uncommon to find this surname in many English-speaking countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Notable people bearing this surname include TV producer Dan Harmon, and actress Angie Harmon.

Harmon: Where does the name Harmon come from?

The last name Harmon is of English and Dutch origin. It was originally derived from the Germanic personal name "Hermann", composed of the elements "heri", meaning army, and "man", meaning man. In the Middle Ages, this name was quite popular in England, brought over by the Normans after the Conquest in 1066. Over the years, the name evolved into Harmon in English-speaking countries.

Harmon is common today in United States, ranked as the 333rd most common surname according to the U.S Census Bureau. Its prevalence is highest in states such as Texas, California, and Florida. In addition to this, Harmon is also common in other English-speaking countries like England, Ireland, and Australia. Despite its Dutch origin, the surname today is relatively uncommon in the Netherlands and other Germanic countries, where the original form "Hermann" is used more frequently. Overall, Harmon is a popular surname with strong historical roots in English and Germanic cultures.

Variations of the surname Harmon

Several variants and alternate spellings exist for the surname Harmon, primarily resulting from different regional pronunciations, translations, and spelling conventions. The surnames Hamon, Harman, Hermon, Hermann, Harmond, Hermansen, and Harmonson can all be considered variants of Harmon; they're different forms derived from the same root name.

Hamon is a French version of Harmon, while Harman is an English variant. Hermann is a German alternative and Hermon is seen in Hebraic traditions. Variants like Harmond, Harmonson, and Hermansen denote 'son of Harmon' or 'son of Hermann', commonly seen in Scandinavian and Northern European cultures.

This surname originates from the personal name Herman, derived from elements 'hari', which means army, and 'man', meaning man. Hence, many of these alternatives similarly reflect the 'army man' connotation. It's important to remember that the evolution of surnames was a gradual process, growing more structured over time. Hence, a single person's name could be inconsistently spelled as Harmon, Harman, or Hamon in different documents.

These names have been anglicized or localized in different geographical regions explaining the diversity and variety in names we see today.

Famous people with the name Harmon

• Mark Harmon: An American television and film actor best known for his role on the CBS series NCIS.
• Dan Harmon: An American writer and producer best known for creating the TV show Community and co-creating Rick and Morty.
• Angie Harmon: An American actress and model best known for her role in Law & Order.
• Richard Harmon: A Canadian actor best known for his role in the series The 100.
• Trent Harmon: An American country singer who won the fifteenth and final season of American Idol.
• Winsor Harmon: An American actor best known for his role on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
• Elizebeth Harmon: A fictional character and eponymous character in "The Queen's Gambit."
• Sean Harmon: An American actor who is the son of Mark Harmon, known for his roles in NCIS.
• Thomas Mark Harmon: An American college football player who won the Heisman Trophy in 1940 and the father of Mark Harmon.
• Kelly Harmon: An American actress and the sister of Mark Harmon.
• Harmon Killebrew: An American professional baseball player, considered one of the greatest power hitters in the history of Major League Baseball.

Other surnames

Harmolin