Surname Hurlbut - Meaning and Origin

Hurlbut: What does the surname Hurlbut mean?

Hurlbut is an Anglo-Saxon surname which is derived from the old English terms 'hyrde’ and 'bolot.' 'Hyrde’ means herdsman or shepherd while 'bolot' refers to a building or a cottage. Hence, originally, the term Hurlbut likely referred to someone who was a shepherd and lived in a cottage. The name might have been occupational, possibly denoting the profession of the first individuals who used it. Additionally, it could have been locational, referencing the geographical area where initial bearers resided or worked. The name has several variant spellings, including Hurlbert and Hurlbatt, demonstrating its evolution over time. Despite its origins in England, it can be found in various countries today due to the migration and dispersion of families over centuries.

Hurlbut: Where does the name Hurlbut come from?

The surname Hurlbut is of English origin, traced back to medieval times. It is believed to derive from the Old English words "hyll", meaning a hill, and "byht", meaning a bend or a nook. So, the surname might have been originally given to someone living by a hill or a bend.

The earliest records of the name are found in Yorkshire in the northern part of England, where the family has held a family seat since ancient times. Over the centuries, members of the family made their way to the New World. There have been variations in the spelling of the surname over the years, including Hurlbutt, Hurlbatt, and Hurlbert among others.

Today, the surname Hurlbut is not uncommon in the United States and the United Kingdom, but it is not particularly common compared to other surnames. This may be a result of the numerous variations in its spelling. According to some databases, the surname is most numerous in the U.S., primarily in New York, followed by California. As with many surnames, it is difficult to precisely track its prevalence due to population mobility and changes in spelling.

Variations of the surname Hurlbut

The surname Hurlbut is of English origin and derives from a location in the northern part of Yorkshire, Curry Rivel. Various forms and spellings of the surname have developed over time due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings. Some variant spellings of Hurlbut include Hurlbert, Hurlburt, Hurlbutt, Herlbirt, Hurlebat, Hurlbert and Hurlebutt.

It is worth noting that surnames often changed considerably in spelling over centuries, and even from father to son within the same generation. Therefore, it's always important to review records containing possible phonetic spellings or even misspellings.

In some cases, the surname could have been influenced by other names such as Herbert or Herbertson. Although they sound similar, these names have different origins (Herbert is of Germanic origin).

The addition of prefixes or suffixes could lead to further variations of the name, and when people migrated to different countries, they often changed the spelling of their names to better fit the language of their new home. This could explain the existence of variations in different parts of the world.

However, these variations need to be checked through reliable ancestry resources to confirm their connection with the original surname, Hurlbut.

Famous people with the name Hurlbut

• Harvey Hurlbut, American actor
• Asahel Hurlbut, American radical politician
• Sydney Hurlbut, Canadian lawyer and politician
• Arthur Hurlbut, English Anglican Bishop
• Susan Warner Hurlbut, American scholar and legal expert
• Courtney Hurlbut, American actress
• Richard Hurlbut, American musician and songwriter
• Charles Hurlbut, American jurist and politician
• Vernon Hurlbut, American poet
• Kathryn Hurlbut, American photographer
• Daniel Hurlbut, American politician and soldier
• Eric Hurlbut, American diplomat
• Abraham Hurlbut, American Revolutionary War veteran
• Robert Hurlbut, American soldier and businessman
• Jonathan Hurlbut, American surgeon and archaeologist
• Sarah Hurlbut, American educator and philanthropist
• Joseph Hurlbut, American physician, poet, and author
• Harold Hurlbut, American entrepreneur and philanthropist
• John Hurlbut, American politician
• Lyman Hurlbut, American minister and lecturer

Other surnames

HurlbertHurlburt