Surname Herrod - Meaning and Origin

Herrod: What does the surname Herrod mean?

The surname Herrod is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily found in England. It's derived from the Old English personal name "Herebeorht" which is composed of the elements "here", meaning army, and "beorht", meaning bright or famous. Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as "army bright" or "famous army". The name was often given to someone who was renowned for their military prowess or leadership in battle. However, it has also been associated with the Biblical name Herod, known from King Herod in the New Testament of the Bible. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have undergone changes leading to various forms such as Herod, Harrod, Harrold, and Herrod. Like many surnames, the exact meaning can vary based on geographical regions and historical contexts.

Herrod: Where does the name Herrod come from?

The surname Herrod originates from England. It is a variant form of Harold or Herold, deriving from the Old English personal name "Hereweald," which is composed of two elements: "here," meaning army, and "weald," meaning rule or power. The name therefore signifies "army ruler." It was popularized by the Scandinavian invaders (Vikings) in the seventh century.

As of today, the surname is not extremely common but is most frequently found in the United States. Other places with notable occurrences of the surname include England, Australia, and Canada. Over the years, the surname has witnessed many spelling variations like Harrad, Harrod, Harrid, Harred, and others due to the evolvement of language and the migration of people from one place to another.

Variations of the surname Herrod

The surname Herrod has several spelling variations and related surnames, many of which are of traced back to the same origin. It features different forms mainly due to historical scribes recording names as they were pronounced, leading to many surname variations.

In addition to Herrod, other spelling variations include: Harrod, Harrold, Herrold, Harewood, and Harrad, among others. Spellings can sometimes differ significantly, as in the case of Harrad, where both 'o' and 'e' are replaced with 'a'.

The surname is also likely related to the surnames Harwood and Heward, which may stem from similar geographic or occupational origins.

In terms of origin, the name has strong Anglo-Saxon roots and is typically associated with ancient family seats in Yorkshire and other areas of England. The name itself is derived from the personal name Hereward, an Old English name which means "army guard". Over the centuries, the pronunciation and spelling of the name evolved, resulting in the different variations we see today.

In summary, while Herrod is the primary focus, related surnames and spellings include Harrod, Herrold, Harrold, Harewood, Harrad, Harwood, and Heward.

Famous people with the name Herrod

• Pete Herrod: An Australian software developer and Managing Director at IBM Ozlabs, Pete Herrod has made a name for himself in the tech world.
• Stephen J. Herrod: As a renowned tech executive and entrepreneur, Stephen J. Herrod has made significant contributions to the industry. He is a former CTO of VMware and the current CEO of Herrod Technology.
• Cathy Herrod: This American political activist is well-known for her work in advocacy of family and Christian values. She has been President of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative lobbying group, since 2006.
• Dan Herrod: A digital marketing expert and influential speaker, Dan Herrod has grown his software company, Handl, to be one of the leading smartphone analytics providers.
• Christopher Herrod: An American politician, Christopher Herrod has served in the Utah House of Representatives and ran for US congress. He believes in limited government interference and encourages entrepreneurial innovation.
• Laurie Herrod: A popular speaker and Christian author, Laurie Herrod is renowned for her works about faith and family. She is known for writing a book called "Saving Grace: A Celebration of Adoption". Please note that celebrity status is relative and some of these individuals may only be considered famous within their specific professional or regional circles.

Other surnames

Herron