Surname Hurlburt - Meaning and Origin

Hurlburt: What does the surname Hurlburt mean?

The surname Hurlburt is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a couple of probable meanings. First, it may derive from "Herbert," which is composed of the elements "heri," meaning army, and "berht," meaning bright, or illustrious. Therefore, it could mean "illustrious army." Alternatively, it could stem from the Olde English pre-7th Century words "hyrne," a corner or bend (perhaps referring to someone who lived near a geographical feature like a sharp bend in a road or river), and "beorht," meaning bright or famous. In this case, it could refer to a "famous corner" or a notable landmark. The form "Hurlburt" is specific to the Americas, as the original bearers of the name emigrated there, and it evolved over time. Like many surnames, it was possibly utilized to identify individuals from a specific place or with distinct family lines. However, since the exact origins are unclear, these interpretations are conjectures based on linguistic and historical analysis.

Hurlburt: Where does the name Hurlburt come from?

The surname Hurlburt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English personal name "Herold" or "Herwald" paired with the word "burh," meaning fort. Thus, it could loosely be translated as "Herold's fort." The name expresses territorial or geographical identification, a common practice among the Anglo-Saxons.

Hurlburt first emerged as a family name in England, specifically in the county of Nottinghamshire, where they held a family seat in ancient times. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, many native English families moved north to Scotland and the bordering regions to escape the intrusive rule. As such, the name is now much more common in those areas.

Today, the surname Hurlburt is found mainly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. In the United States, there appears to be a higher concentration of individuals with the surname Hurlburt in the northeastern states. Other individuals with this surname live in smaller numbers across the globe. It isn't an exceedingly common surname globally, but you'll certainly find Hurlburts if you look for them!

Variations of the surname Hurlburt

The surname Hurlburt has several variants, alternative spellings, and closely related names which may share a common origin or family history. Some of the variations of this surname include Hurlbert, Hurlbut, Hurlbutt, Harlbut, Harlbutt, Hurlbo, Hurlbat, Hurlberts, and Hurlburth. These variations can be attributed to a range of factors such as geographical location, changes in language over time, scribal errors, or personal preference.

There is a belief that Hurlburt and its variants could have emerged from the surname Herlebeau, a name of French origin. Some researchers also suggest that Hurlburt could be a modified form of the name Hurluberlu, an Old French surname. Furthermore, the names Harlebeke or Harlebeck, which are of Germanic origin, could also be ancestors of the surname Hurlburt.

Like many surnames, Hurlburt and its variants have likely evolved and transformed over many generations and as families moved to different countries and regions. Each variant or spelling could potentially represent a unique branch of the Hurlburt family tree. However, definitive conclusions about these relationships would require more in-depth genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Hurlburt

• Eric Hurlburt: A famous American football defensive player who won Super Bowl XL as part of the Seattle Seahawks in 2005.
• Richard Hurlburt: A Canadian politician and the former Deputy Premier and Minister of Service Nova Scotia, MLA for Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.
• Frank W. Hurlburt: An American jazz composer and pianist active in the mid-20th century. He also worked as a freelance soloist, accompanist, arranger and songwriter.
• George Washington Hurlburt: An American artist, muralist, interior decorator, portrait painter, illustrator, and landscape painter.
• Vern Hurlburt: An American baseball player and coach, who played in the Major League Baseball from 1950 until 1958 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox.
• Deborah Hurlburt: An American stage actress who has appeared in major Broadway productions of musicals like Gypsy, A Little Night Music, and The King & I.
• Edith Hurlburt: An American poet, professor, editor, publisher, and author of works on philosophy and theology.
• George A. Hurlburt: An American minister, author, and anti-Masonry activist of the late 19th century.
• James F. Hurlburt: An American inventor and businessperson, who designed and developed the first American lifeboat in 1872.
• Louis Hurlburt Whitney: A Canadian poet and writer best known for the science fiction book Sweetly Sings the Donkey.

Other surnames

Hurlbut