Surname Hearst - Meaning and Origin

Hearst: What does the surname Hearst mean?

The surname Hearst is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word 'hyrst', meaning 'wooded hill'. This name was often given to someone who lived near a wooded hill or who came from a town or village named Hearst or Hurst. Over time, the surname has evolved into various forms such as Hearst, Hurst, Hirst, and others. It is commonly associated with the influential Hearst family in the United States, notably William Randolph Hearst, an American businessman and newspaper publisher, and his granddaughter, Patty Hearst.

Hearst: Where does the name Hearst come from?

The surname Hearst is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that originated in Britain. It's derived from a topographic feature, "herst", representing a wood or a woodland, suggesting that the original bearers of the name either lived near a wood or worked in a wood. Despite its English origins, Hearst isn't a common surname in Britain today.

The Hearst name is most commonly recognized for its association with the Hearst family in the United States, specifically publisher William Randolph Hearst who created the largest newspaper and media company in the world, Hearst Communications. As a result, the name Hearst is more commonly found in the United States than in its country of origin. Despite the family’s prominence, Hearst nonetheless isn't a widespread surname even in the U.S. due to its unique origin.

Variations of the surname Hearst

The surname Hearst likely has Germanic or Anglo-Saxon origins and began as a location-based name, referring to people living near a wood or a grove. The name carries various spellings and variations depending on its geographic location and the language influences in those regions. This includes Hearst, Hirst, Hurst, Hursthouse, and de Hurst. Some of these variations may also take on a prefix of "de" or "von" to indicate "of" or "from," as in a certain place.

Hurst is most common in England, especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Hirst is primarily found in West Yorkshire. Hearst is believed to be a North American variation, possibly due to phonetic misspelling over time, as is often the case with immigrant names upon arrival in new countries. One notable person with this name is the American businessman William Randolph Hearst, who was known for developing the nation's largest newspaper chain and media company.

Given the typical naming conventions of the German language, another variation could be "Hürst" or "Hürstchen". It is also possible that there may be closely related surnames with slight spelling differences or with additional suffixes – such as Hearston or Hearstan in English, or Hurstmann or Hirstmann in German.

Famous people with the name Hearst

• William Randolph Hearst Jr.: Son of the media magnate, William Randolph Hearst Sr. and his first wife Millicent Willson. Active in the Hearst Media Corporation.
• Patricia Hearst: Granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst. Famous for being kidnapped in the 1970s and participating in a series of bank robberies during her captivity.
• George Hearst: Great-grandson of William Randolph Hearst Sr. and the son of Patricia Hearst. Active in the Hearst Media Corporation, currently the President and Head of Development and Acquisitions.
• David Hearst: the great-grandson of William Randolph Hearst Sr. and a partner in The Hearst Group, a media and entertainment company.
• George Randolph Hearst: Son of William Randolph Hearst Sr. and Marion Davis, a silent-film actress.
• Anne Hearst McInerney: Granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst Sr. and daughter to George Hearst, Sr. Active in the Hearst Media Corporation.
• William Randolph Hearst III: Grandson of William Randolph Hearst Sr. An American journalist and publisher and the Chairman of the Board of the Hearst Corporation, one of the largest diversified media companies in the world.
• John Randolph Hearst: Father-in-law of William Randolph Hearst III.
• James Hearst: American poet and professor of English literature at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Winner of the National Book Award for Poetry.
• Jessica Hearst: Great-granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst Sr. and elder daughter of Anne Hearst MacInerney and her husband Jay McInerney. An American fashion magazine editor and writer.

Other surnames

Hearse