Surname Harrow - Meaning and Origin
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Harrow: What does the surname Harrow mean?
The last name Harrow originates from England and is derived from an Old English term, "hearg", which means "heathen temple". The name is believed to have been a topographic surname for individuals residing near a pagan temple or a locational surname associated with several places in the United Kingdom such as Harrow on the Hill in Middlesex and Harrow, or Harrowden, in Bedfordshire. Over time, the term "harrow" also came to denote a type of farming equipment used for breaking up soil and uprooting weeds, but it is uncertain whether this usage had any significant impact on the development of the surname. Today, Harrow is a global surname, found in various parts of the world, including the United States and Canada, with roots tracing back to Britain. The meaning of the Harrow surname thus resonates with historical, geographical, and perhaps agricultural connotations.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrow: Where does the name Harrow come from?
The last name Harrow is most common in England today, especially in London and the Midlands. It is believed to have originated in the area of the same name, located in the county of Middlesex in central England. It has also been found in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the United States, albeit with a lower frequency of occurrence.
The Harrow name is thought to be derived from a family living near a hill-shaped structure, such as a mound, barrow or moor. Much like other last names common in England, it was likely adopted through the process of heredity hundreds of years ago. It is also possible that the surname was taken on after individuals migrated to the area or moved from one region to another.
The name Harrow is currently most common among white British people of English background, where its frequency of occurrence is almost four times greater than the national average. It is also found with higher occurrence in the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets, most likely due to the large number of people of English descent living in these areas.
In terms of international locations, it is relatively common in the United States, particularly in California, New York, and New Jersey. It is also found with higher frequency in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.
Variations of the surname Harrow
The surname Harrow is derived from the Middle English/Old English word 'herga' meaning ‘a heap of stones.’ The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Harrow include Harrowe, Harow, Haroh, Harroo, Harough, Herga, Hergo, Hergowe, Herrowe, and Herrow.
Harrow is an English toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a location. The English place name ‘Harrow’ is derived from the Old English word ‘hearg’ meaning ‘a heathen temple or stone altar’. Harrow is an ancient English village located in the county of Middlesex, which is now a part of Greater London. The earliest recorded spelling of this surname dates back to the 12th century in the form of Herga.
Harrow is also seen as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Mharraigh originating in Ireland, particularly County Donegal. This surname is derived from the personal name Gilmhar, which is composed of the Gaelic elements ‘giolla’ meaning ‘lad’ or ‘servant’ and ‘mharraigh’ meaning ‘noble’. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Mharraigh include Gilmorr, Gilmur, Gilmurra, Mac Giolla Mharraigh, Mac Ilmurray, and Mac Ilmurry.
Lastly, Harrow is also a Dutch metonymic occupational surname, meaning ‘wheelwright’. It is derived from the Dutch phrase ‘harrewagen’ which translates to ‘wagon-wheel’. Variant spellings for this surname include Harrewagen, Harrewijnen, Harrowagen, Har Apart from Harrow and its variants, other surnames of the same origin include Harwagen, Harwijn, Herwagen, Harewijn, and Herewijn.
Famous people with the name Harrow
- Alan Harrow: an American theoretical physicist who is best known for his foundational contributions to condensed matter physics.
- Ben Harrow: a classical composer and conductor who has been active on the international scene for over 30 years.
- J.K. Rowling: the best-selling author of the Harry Potter series, whose real name is Joanne Kathleen Rowling.
- Edith Wharton: the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Age of Innocence.
- Lisa Harrow: an acclaimed New Zealand-born British actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series over five decades.
- Joss Whedon: the creator of the cult TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, whose real name is Joseph Hill Whedon.
- Lynn Harrow: an American architect and urban planner who has had extensive involvement in community development work across the world.
- Amanda Harrow: a British epidemiologist and medical researcher specializing in infectious diseases and public health interventions.
- David Harrow: an accomplished American country music singer-songwriter and producer with twenty albums to his credit.
- Marianne Harrow: an American singer-songwriter who is known for her heartfelt acoustic performances as well as her extensive songwriting catalogue.