Surname Northern - Meaning and Origin

Northern: What does the surname Northern mean?

The last name Northern is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "north," meaning "north," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." Thus, the original bearers of this surname likely lived in a place located to the north of a main settlement or in the northern part of a town. Common during the Middle Ages, it was often used to refer to a person from the North or someone who lived towards the northern part of a town or estate. It can also indicate regional differences in the United Kingdom between individuals from the northern and southern counties. The use of geographical features or cardinal points to derive surnames was very common during these centuries, usually to specify a person’s place of origin, residence, or land ownership. This surname is prevalent in England, particularly the northern region.

Northern: Where does the name Northern come from?

The last name Northern is a surname of English origin, although it has spread throughout the world. Currently, Northern is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, with pockets of people who bear the surname in the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and elsewhere.

In the United States, those with the surname Northern are most prevalent in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Some states with high populations, such as California and New York, have a noticeable presence of Northerns as well.

In 2018, the Social Security Administration ranks Northern as the 1563rd most commonly-used surname in the United States, with 1,403 people bearing the name. It’s important to note, however, that the name Northern is not among the 1,000 most popular surnames in the US – the majority of which are traditionally English or Irish.

The Northerns living in the US today trace their roots to a variety of sources: some are likely descended from immigrants who fled the religious persecution of 17th-century England, while others come from Scottish or Dutch backgrounds. The name Northern also exists in various other forms, such as Northam, Nortin, and Norten.

Whether the surname Northern is found across the world, ringing through generations of its own history, or among new varieties of the name, it carries with it a proud tradition of resilience and adaptation.

Variations of the surname Northern

The surname Northern can be spelled many different ways in its various incarnations, including Nortin, Norten, Northin, Northen, Northing, Northon, and Northun, among many others. These variations can also appear with a variety of prefixes, such as de, van, Mc, O’, etc., with Norten sometimes showing up as de Norten or van Norten.

Historically, the surname Northern has likely been English or Irish in origin. In England, the surname may have originated from a place name, for example, Northington in Hampshire. Alternatively, the name may also arise from a Norman personal name, such as Nortin. As for an Irish origin, the surname may have been derived from the anglicized version of the Gaelic O’Noirthain, which is a variation of the word for “north” in the Irish language.

As far as related surnames, these can also be quite diverse due to geographical and historical considerations. For instance, folks bearing the surname Northern in the United States may be related to those with the surname Norka in Slovenia, Nortem in Estonia, NIRSTEIN in Germany, or NORDTLING in Sweden. To further complicate matters, some individuals may bear surnames with the same origin but with different spellings, such asNNortham or Northum.

In conclusion, the surname Northern is a name with many variations and possible origins, and those bearing the name today may have family members with different spellings and even surnames of different origin.

Famous people with the name Northern

• Alesha Northern, singer and songwriter
• Aron Northern, guitarist for the band Burning Bride
• Angela Northern, poet and artist
• Charley Northern, country and western singer
• Cicely Northern, star of television and radio drama
• Clifford Northern, actor and director
• Cody Northern, actor in films and television
• Dwayne Northern, comedian and presenter
• Freddie Northern, boxer and trainer
• Gene Northern, sculptor
• Greg Northern, comedian and actor
• James Northern, actor and director
• John Northern, actor and film producer
• Keith Northern, English racing cyclist
• Laura Northern, musician and bassist
• Mark Northern, actor, producer and director
• Martin Northern, artist and poet
• Natasha Northern, actress

Other surnames

NortheNorthedgeNorthedge.NorthemannNorthey