Surname Horsington - Meaning and Origin
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Horsington: What does the surname Horsington mean?
The last name Horsington is believed to be an anglicization of the German surname “Harsdörffer”. This surname was derived from the German word “hars”, which means “horse”, and “dörffer” meaning “manor”. It is believed that the Horsington family originally lived in a manor that was owned by a horse breeder or related to the horse industry in some way.
The surname Horsington could be a locational surname as well. It could be a reference to the town of Horsington in Lincolnshire, England. It is believed that during the medieval period the surname was more common in the Lincolnshire region.
Historically, the Horsington family is believed to have been of nobility and had some lineage to French royalty. It is believed that members of the family had ties to the Houses of Capet and Plantagenet, which were powerful royal dynasties in Europe at the time.
Despite the history of the family’s nobility, the majority of modern-day Horsingtons live in more humble circumstances. Many live in rural areas, while some continue to work in the horse industry. The family name has spread to some parts of North America, where it is thought to be relatively uncommon.
Order DNA origin analysisHorsington: Where does the name Horsington come from?
The last name Horsington is not terribly common today. It is believed to have originated in England, though there is no definitive source. The name is recorded fairly infrequently in contemporary English censuses and records.
Most of the people who bear the Horsington name today are descendants of families who traced their roots back to the England of the Middle Ages. Those families likely emigrated to other parts of the former British Empire, such as Canada and the United States, and their descendants spread the name further afield.
Other sources have traced Horsington families to Sweden and Denmark, though this has not been corroborated. It is likely that the name has been carried onward by the many immigrants to these countries from Great Britain and Ireland.
The Horsington name appears to be almost non-existent outside of English-speaking countries. Despite that, it is scattered across North America and the United Kingdom, in small towns and major cities alike. It is most likely to be found in the regions with the longest histories of British and Irish settlement, such as the northeastern United States, southeastern Canada, and Great Britain itself.
Variations of the surname Horsington
The surname Horsington can trace its ancestry to several different linguistic roots. Its variants include the Old English "Horsingtūn," derived from the words "horsa," meaning a horse, and "tun," or a settlement; the Welsh "Horsinton," derived from the Welsh word "horsington," meaning a steep seamed hill; and the Old Norse "Horsingatūn," meaning a horse enclosure.
In addition to these variations upon the central root, many spellings and variants of Horsington exist. In the United States, these include: Horsington, Horsintone, Horsinton, Horsintonn, Horsintun, Horsingtonne, Horshinton, Horsingtun, Horsmentone, and Horsmenton. Conjoined spellings, including Horsingtonn and Horsmentonn, are also common.
Surnames relating to Horsington are trailed each by a characteristic ending, including: Horsenton, Horsinton, Horsynton, and Horseynton. Likewise, Horsinton is connected to the surnames Horsington-Hunt, Horsington-Brown, and Horsington-White. Certain variants, such as Horsnington, may allow for alternative spellings, such as "Horsnedon."
Finally, one should note the transformation of certain surnames related to Horsington. In Ireland, the surname "Hardingham" may also trace its origins to "Horsington," as may the English surnames "Harrison" and "Herring." Their similar ancestry attests to the depth of the linguistic heritage of Horsington.
Famous people with the name Horsington
- Alexandra Horsington: Australian actress who has appeared in series such as Wentworth and Prisoner.
- Harry Horsington: British actor best known for his appearances in Doctor Who and Merlin.
- Stan Horsington: English professional footballer who has played for clubs such as Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Oldham Athletic.
- Tom Horsington: Australian footballer who previously played for Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League.
- Samuel Horsington: British sculptor whose works can be found in various museums across the country.
- David Horsington: British actor who has appeared in television shows such as Sherlock and Black Mirror.
- Christina Horsington: American singer-songwriter and former member of the pop group DreamStreet.
- Arnold Horsington: British filmmaker who has directed comedic movies such as Porky’s and National Lampoon’s Vacation.
- John Horsington: British racing driver who competed in the Group C1 category in the World Sportscar Championship.
- Sir William Horsington: British politician and military engineer who served in the Prime Ministerial Cabinet of the United Kingdom.