Surname Hoard - Meaning and Origin

Hoard: What does the surname Hoard mean?

Hoard is an English and Irish surname derived from Old English “horh” which means “mound” or “hill”. It may have been used to describe someone who lived on a hill or ridge. Hoard is also a diminutive form of the given name Howard. It can also be a nickname from the Old English “horda” for hoarder. It could be an occupational name originally given to someone who works at a mill or kept the grain in a hoarding-house. The name may also be derived from Middle English “hord” meaning “treasure” as it was used to describe someone who was a keeper of information or possibly even a family's personal banker which would have been a common profession in the Middle Ages. Another possible origin for the name is the Scandinavian personal name “Hordi” meaning “fierce warrior”.

No matter the origin, the surname Hoard today is mostly associated with someone who treasures their possessions. This could refer to taking great care of their money or possibly to having an immense collection of books, antiques, or artifacts. It could also describe someone who is an avid saver, or who is a pack rat and holds on to things they do not need or use. However you interpret the name, it speaks to someone who values their possessions and takes great pride and effort to collect, store, and protect them.

Hoard: Where does the name Hoard come from?

The last name Hoard is believed to be of German origin. It is most commonly found today in the United States, particularly in the states of Iowa and Nebraska. The name is also found in Canada, particularly in Ontario and the Maritime Provinces.

Hoard is an occupational surname. It is thought to derive from the Old German word "horat" meaning "one who has inherited a fortune". Thus, individuals in past generations who inherited or accumulated wealth may have taken the surname Hoard. It is also possible that the name is derived from the French word "horde" meaning "a group of animals or people that travel together".

In the United States, the majority of Hoards are found in the Midwest. The states of Iowa and Nebraska have the greatest concentration of individuals with the surname. Other states with notable populations include Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan. The states with the fewest individuals with the name are Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana.

The Hoard name was brought to the United States mainly by immigrants from the mid-1800s. Many of these individuals were German settlers and farmers who came to the United States seeking a better life. It is likely that the majority of Hoards living in the United States today are descended from these immigrants.

Variations of the surname Hoard

The surname Hoard can have several different spellings and variants, including Hoarde, Hoardes, Hoards, Hoartz, Hord, Hords, Whord, Whords, and Howrd. These spelling variations are all derived from the same Old French origin.

Hoard is believed to have come from the Old French word ‘hord’, which means ‘guardian’. The Old French term is often found in medieval records and can be found in records dating back as far as the 13th century.

The Hoard surname belongs to the category of patronymic surnames, which come from the personal name of a person’s father or a personal ancestor. As such, the Hoard surname is a widespread Scottish name. In Scotland, the Hoard surname is fairly common, but it is believed to have originated in France.

As for variants, the Hoard surname can also be Anglicised to be Howrd, and in some English-speaking countries, it may sometimes be known as Hord, Howrd, and Whord. The variant spelling of Hoartz is also believed to be an Americanised version of Hoard.

The spelling of surnames like Hoard often changed over time, as people began to adapt to different languages and dialects. Therefore, it is no surprise that such variants of the Hoard surname exist.

Famous people with the name Hoard

• Nate Hoard: Born in Nigeria, Nate Hoard is a professional American football player who currently plays for the New York Giants in the NFL.
• Daniel Hoard: An Emmy-winning sportscaster, Daniel Hoard is a voice of the Cincinnati Bengals and also the play-by-play announcer for the University of Cincinnati's football games.
• Paul Hoard: An American politician from the state of Alaska, Paul Hoard is currently serving as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives.
• Joe Hoard: Joe Hoard is a professional engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded a company called Spaceport Systems which is a pioneering firm designing zero gravity spacecraft.
• Don Hoard: An American actor, Don Hoard has appeared in numerous television shows and films since the 1950s including American Graffiti, Addams Family Reunion, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
• Todd Hoard: A former professional football player, Todd Hoard was a fullback for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL from 1988 to 1990.
• Randall Hoard: An award-winning filmmaker and Broadway producer, Randall Hoard is the producer of the Broadway show Jersey Boys and the film The Usual Suspects.
• Sarah Hoard: A pop artist and songwriter from the United States, Sarah Hoard has released several albums and singles throughout her career and has been featured on major radio stations.
• Toni Hoard: A R&B and soul singer from Seattle, Washington, Toni Hoard has released several albums throughout her career and opened for iconic performers such as Al Green and Chaka Khan.
• Susan Hoard: An American novelist and poet, Susan Hoard is the author of the widely-acclaimed novel, The Wingless Bird.

Other surnames

HoarHoare