Surname Heymings - Meaning and Origin

Heymings: What does the surname Heymings mean?

The last name Heymings is derived from the Old English given name Heimingas, which is composed of two elements. The first element, Heim, means "home" and the second element, ingas, in Middle English meant "people or tribe of". Therefore, Heymings would signify a “tribe of people associated with a home”.

It is thought that the name Heymings emerged in the Middle Ages, when the practice of taking on surnames became much more common. During this period, it was quite common for people to adopt new names to distinguish themselves from other people who bore the same given name. The name Heymings could have been formed in a similar manner; it may have been a way of classifying a family who not only had a shared fondness for home and stability but also had a common ancestor.

Heymings is considered a patronymic surname, which comes from the father's given name. It is most commonly found in regions of the United Kingdom, particularly England, Wales, and Scotland. However, it is also found in Canada, Australia, and the United States, as well as in various other countries.

Despite being a relatively common name, Heymings does have some notable family lines. Among these, the Heymings of Newark, Nottinghamshire, and the Heymings of Kilburn, St Giles, are particularly well renowned. Notable people who have carried this last name include Sir John Heymings, a renowned British Army General, as well as the siblings John and Mary Heymings who were both members of the Essex gentry.

Heymings: Where does the name Heymings come from?

Heymings is a surname that is most commonly found in Northern European countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Austria, and Poland. In the United States, Heymings is still present but more sparsely distributed, and can be found in several states including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, and California. Interestingly, there is a higher concentration of the surname Heymings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, hinting at a possible migration path of those with the last name from Europe to America.

The origins of the Heymings surname are unclear, but it is likely that it descended from an ancestor of Middle High German origin. The name may have been derived from either Heyman, meaning “army man”, or Heimisch, meaning “from home”. Both possibilities imply a meaning related to soldiers and warriors.

In terms of occupation, those with the Heymings surname have historically been farmers, laborers, and tradesmen. The coming of the industrial age, however, caused a significant shift in the professional backgrounds of those with the name, and today some members of the family are prominent business people and entrepreneurs.

In conclusion, Heymings is a surname with Northern European roots, and is still present in many countries today, though at varying concentrations. Despite the passage of time, it still retains its associations with aspects of warrior life, and many of the modern-day members of the Heymings family continue to draw on its history and legacy.

Variations of the surname Heymings

Heymings is a rare English surname that has many variants and alternate spellings.

Haiming is the most common spelling related to the name. It is suggested that the name is an Anglican invention, derived from the Old English pre 7th century word 'haemm' which means a homestead, or possibly a nickname for a person who lived in such an establishment.

Other spellings and derivatives of Heymings include: Heamings, Hemyngs, Heyming, Heymin, Haimins, Haimins, Heyman, Hayman, Heymanns, Heimann, Heimanns, Heimans, Heimannsen, Heimanssen, Heimanc, Heimhurst, Haiman and Heimings.

Surnames derived from the root name include Heidinger, Heideman, Heigham, Heiggemann, Heining, Heiring, Heidling, Heidtmann, Heidtmannschen, Heidtmans, Hemire and Heidbrecher.

The name may be of French origin, from the Old French 'hamelet' meaning an estate, with the addition of -ings, a patronymic ending which means son of.

The name is found mainly in the Norfolk/Suffolk area of East Anglia, but is very rare in North America, Australia and New Zealand. In Sweden, the equivalent of the name is Heiming.

Heymings is still an uncommon surname, particularly outside of East Anglia. The variants, spellings and surnames based on Heymings provide a wider range of names that can be used for both research and identity.

Famous people with the name Heymings

• Calum Heymings: British singer-songwriter.
• John Heymings: English naval officer and first-class cricketer.
• Charles Heymings: 19th Century English actor and singer.
• Theresa Marie Heymings: American artist and industrial designer.
• Albert “Rip” Heymings: American writer, director, actor and producer.
• Sam Heymings: British composer and producer of many classical and folk music pieces.
• Edward Heymings: British Army general.
• Bob Heymings: English footballer
• Christian Heymings: Swiss ice hockey player.
• Harriet Heymings: English actress.
• Violet Heymings: English poet.
• Sean Heymings: British actor.
• Robert Heymings: British actor of stage, film and television.
• Lawrence Heymings: English footballer.
• Sarah Heymings: British entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Other surnames

Heyming