Surname Hirtle - Meaning and Origin

Hirtle: What does the surname Hirtle mean?

Hirtle is a German and English surname of uncertain origin. The earliest recorded use of the surname dates back to the 12th century in Germany, and the name is known to have spread to England in the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the German word ‘hirt,’ meaning herdsman or shepherd, implying that the original holders of the name had this profession.

In some cases, Hirtle could also be an Anglicisation of the Jewish surname ‘Chortz.’ This is thought to have originated from the German for ‘pigsty,’ or a place where pigs were kept, and again, this likely indicated that the original holders of the name worked with pigs.

Today, there are a significant number of Hirtles throughout the English-speaking world, especially in Canada at around 2,500 individuals. Some notable people with this surname include American tobacco tycoon J.H. Hirtle, the late British painter Mel Hirtle, and baseball player Tyler Hirtle.

Ultimately, the origin of the Hirtle surname is uncertain, but it is believed to derive from either German shepherding or pig farming occupations. Regardless, the name has endured throughout the centuries and is found throughout the English-speaking world today, with notable holders of the name in fields as diverse as painting and tobacco.

Hirtle: Where does the name Hirtle come from?

Hirtle is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, common in the UK in certain areas. In the 1881 UK census, the name was most common in the North Yorkshire district, where it was primarily concentrated in the towns of Boroughbridge and Skipton.

Today, the last name Hirtle continues to be most common in this region. In the 2014 UK census, Hirtle was the 608th most common surname, with 1,183 people in the UK having the name. Of these, just under 1,000 were based in North Yorkshire. The area remains the most likely place to encounter the surname Hirtle.

However, the surname is not limited to North Yorkshire. While this region is home to the most people with the surname, pockets of Hirtles can be found in the counties of Devon, Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Warwickshire. The surname is also common in Nova Scotia, Canada, where many English settlers came in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Additionally, the surname Hirtle is often encountered in other countries where people emigrated from the UK. Individuals with the name can be found in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.

Overall, the last name Hirtle is still relatively uncommon, but the places it is most commonly found remain the regions of North Yorkshire and Nova Scotia. Other places where the name is encountered in smaller numbers also tell the story of where people with this surname have travelled, and how knowledge of the name has spread across the globe over the years.

Variations of the surname Hirtle

Hirtle, Hurtle, and Hurtel are all variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. All of these spellings are believed to originate from the German or Jewish surname Hurtel, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The name means “person from the hut” in German, and it was most commonly given to families living in rural areas.

Hirtle is the most commonly seen spelling of this surname today, and it is the most popular in the United States. Hurtle is an alternative spelling that is more popular in the United Kingdom, while Hurtel is more common in Europe. All of these spellings have the same origin and meaning, but they are variations of the same name.

The Hirtle surname is believed to have been first established in central and western Europe. Records indicate the name was established in Dutch, German, and Polish cultures. By the mid-1700s, the name had spread to the United States, with immigrants arriving from Europe.

Today, the surname Hirtle is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and England, as well as some parts of Europe. The surname is also quite common in Australia and New Zealand, though the spelling is usually Hurtle.

No matter the spelling, the surnames Hirtle, Hurtle, and Hurtel are all believed to have the same origin and meaning.

Famous people with the name Hirtle

• Matthew Hirtle: American computer scientist, entrepreneur and inventor.
• Becky Hirtle: Canadian women’s ice hockey player.
• Rainer Hirtle: Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
• Alec Hirtle: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Andrew Hirtle: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• John Hirtle: American arms control and counter-proliferation official.
• Vincent Hirtle: Former NHL referee from the United States.
• Brad Hirtle: Canadian former minor-league professional ice hockey coach.
• Thomas Hirtle: Canadian former missionary bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada.
• Stewart Hirtle: Canadian former Olympic cyclist.

Other surnames

HirtlHirtlein