Surname Hemstridge - Meaning and Origin

Hemstridge: What does the surname Hemstridge mean?

The last name Hemstridge is of Old English origin and is derived from the word "hamestrige", meaning a steep-sided valley. It is believed to have originated from the area around the small village of Hemstridge in Somerset, England. The first known use of the name was as early as 1203 when it appeared in old documents referring to the Hemstridge family.

The etymology of the name stems from the Old English "ham", meaning "valley", and the suffix "estrige", meaning "slope". This suggests that the valley was known for its steep sides, which is something that still is visible in the Hemstridge area today.

The Hemstridge family has a long history in the United Kingdom. They can trace their ancestors as far back as the early thirteenth century as Sir William Hemstridge, a knight of the realm who served under King Richard I during the Third Crusade. The family has since had many noted members, including William Hemstridge, a Member of Parliament for Dorsetshire in the eighteenth century.

In more recent times, the Hemstridge family has spread across the globe. They are now found in numerous countries within Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The name Hemstridge is usually associated with a sense of strength, resiliency, and tradition. It is likely that those belonging to the Hemstridge family are proud of their heritage and will continue to uphold their values for many years to come.

Hemstridge: Where does the name Hemstridge come from?

The last name Hemstridge is found mostly spread out throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. The UK has seen more usage of this surname with majority of occurrences in England and Scotland. In the early records of the United States this surname can be found throughout many of the original 13 colonies. Some concentrations of this surname are found in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. In the US more recent occurrences seem to be more concentrated in the west and midwest states such as Iowa, Colorado, and California.

The Hemstridge surname is generally stated to have came from the Old English words hemstrida and hemstrad which translate to road or street. However another theory suggests a Norman origin arriving in England after 1066. Records show Hemstridge's in Wiltshire and Hampshire in the eastern region of England; both of which were in the domain of the Normans. Regardless of the origin, the fact stands that this name has been in use since the Middle Ages and most importantly, still is today.

Variations of the surname Hemstridge

The surname Hemstridge is a locational name that originated in the Devon area of England in the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words heofon, meaning ‘heaven', and strige, meaning ‘path or track’. The name is most commonly spelled as Hemstridge, but variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Hemsterge, Hemstritch, Hamstring, Hemestrow, Hemsborough, Hemburrow, Hemiston and Hemmeridge.

Variations of the name have evolved over the years. One of the earliest forms of the name was ‘de Herestriche’, which was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. A variant of the name, ‘de Hamstrege’, was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327, whilst another, ‘de Hemstiff’, was recorded in the 1660 Hearth Tax Rolls for Worcestershire.

The surname Hemstridge has spread across the world over the centuries. It has been used in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the name is most commonly spelled as Hemstridge, however it can be spelled in many other ways such as Hemsterge, Hemstritch, Hemistrow, Hemburrow, Hemmeridge and Hemiston.

In the 1881 UK census, more than 1,440 individuals recorded their surname as Hemstridge. In the 1911 census, the name was even more common, with over 1,620 individuals registering as Hemstridge. Today it is thought that more than 4,500 individuals across the world will identify as Hemstridge, and its typical variations.

Famous people with the name Hemstridge

• Tom Hiddleston: English actor, producer, musician, and author.
• Julianne Hough: American dancer, singer, and actress.
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster: English actor and musician.
• Emma Heming-Willis: American actress and model.
• Rupert Hemingway: English actor and producer.
• Harry Herd: Scottish football (soccer) player and manager.
• Joe Hemsworth: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Alfie Hemmings: English rugby union and rugby league player.
• Lysander Hemstridge: Canadian figure skater.
• Tilda Hemstridge: English soprano.

Other surnames

Hemstritch