350+ Last Names that Start with H – Best Surnames List
Last Names that Start with H: Last names that commence with the letter ‘H’ carry a rich tapestry of heritage and history. From the ubiquitous ‘Harris’ and ‘Hughes’ to the more distinctive ‘Harrington’ and ‘Hawthorne’, these surnames hold diverse origins. Many have roots in Old English, denoting occupations, locations, or familial connections. The last names that start with H names have spread across the globe, finding homes in various cultures.
Whether linked to noble lineages or forged through humble beginnings, these surnames echo the stories of generations past. Today, they continue to resonate with a sense of identity, reminding us of the enduring legacy encapsulated within a simple letter.
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50+ Last Names that Start with H
Here are some last names that start with H along with their meanings, descriptions, gender associations, and origins:
Last Name | Meaning | Description | Gender | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hall | Dwelling by a Hall | Refers to someone who lived by or worked in a hall. | Both | English |
Hayes | Enclosure, Hedged Area | Indicates someone who lived near a hedge or enclosed area. | Both | English |
Hansen | Son of Hans | Denotes “son of Hans,” a common given name in Scandinavia. | Both | Danish/Norwegian |
Hughes | Son of Hugh | Indicates “son of Hugh,” a popular medieval given name. | Both | Welsh |
Hoffman | Courtier, Steward | Refers to a person who worked as a courtier or steward. | Both | German |
Hamilton | Beautiful Mountain Town | Indicates someone from a town near a beautiful mountain. | Both | Scottish |
Harper | Harp Player | Describes someone who played the harp. | Both | English |
Holt | Wood, Forest | Denotes someone who lived near a small wood or forest. | Both | English |
Hubbard | Bright Heart | Implies a person with a cheerful or lively disposition. | Both | English |
Hunt | Hunter | Refers to a person skilled in hunting. | Both | English |
Haas | Hare | Indicates a connection to hares, either in hunting or habitat. | Both | German |
Healey | From the Clearing | Suggests a person from a clearing in the woods or a glen. | Both | English |
Hodge | Son of Roger | Means “son of Roger,” a common given name in England. | Both | English |
Heath | Heathland, Wasteland | Refers to a person who lived near a heath or wasteland. | Both | English |
Hinton | High Town | Indicates a person from a high or elevated town. | Both | English |
Hood | Hood, Headgear | Possibly refers to a maker or seller of hoods. | Both | English |
Haley | Hay Clearing | Describes someone living near a clearing for hay. | Both | English |
Hargrave | Gray Hill | Indicates a person living near a gray-colored hill. | Both | English |
Hitchcock | Small Stream, Brook | Refers to someone living near a small stream or brook. | Both | English |
Hutchins | Son of Hugh | Denotes “son of Hugh,” a popular medieval given name. | Both | English |
Haines | Enclosure | Indicates someone living near or working in an enclosure. | Both | English |
Hargrove | Grove, Thicket | Refers to a person living near a grove or thicket. | Both | English |
Halsey | Residence near Hazels | Indicates a person living near hazel trees. | Both | English |
Hollis | Holly Tree Clearing | Suggests a clearing with holly trees. | Both | English |
Hines | Island | Refers to a person living on an island or near water. | Both | Irish |
Holbrook | Brook in a Hollow | Describes a brook located in a hollow or valley. | Both | English |
Hathaway | Path to the Heath | Indicates someone living near a path leading to a heath. | Both | English |
Hooper | Hoop Maker | Refers to a person who made or sold hoops or barrels. | Both | English |
Hudgins | Son of Hugh | Means “son of Hugh,” a popular medieval given name. | Both | English |
Harlow | Hare Hill | Refers to a hill where hares were commonly found. | Both | English |
Hargis | Residence near Thorns | Indicates someone living near an area with thorny plants. | Both | English |
Hyatt | High Gate | Implies a person living near a high or important gate. | Both | English |
Haviland | Land of the Hare | Refers to a place where hares were abundant. | Both | French |
Holman | Dweller by the Holly | Describes someone living near holly trees. | Both | English |
Hurd | Hard, Rough | Suggests someone who is strong, tough, or resilient. | Both | English |
Halloway | Holy Way | Indicates a path or road with religious significance. | Both | English |
Hildreth | Powerful in Battle | Suggests a person with strength and valor in battle. | Both | English |
Harkins | Son of Henry | Means “son of Henry,” a common given name in England. | Both | Irish |
Hurst | Wooded Hill | Refers to a hill or wooded area. | Both | English |
Harker | Army Ruler | Implies a leader or ruler in matters of the military. | Both | English |
Harman | Army Man, Warrior | Denotes a person with qualities of a warrior or soldier. | Both | English |
Hurley | Sea Tidal Inlet | Refers to a place near a tidal inlet or small bay. | Both | Irish |
Hardin | Bold, Brave | Suggests a person with qualities of bravery and courage. | Both | English |
Harlan | Hare Land | Indicates a place abundant with hares. | Both | English |
Hartman | Strong, Stalwart Man | Implies a man of strength and fortitude. | Male | German |
Hairston | Rock Town | Refers to a town or settlement near rocks or a hill. | Both | English |
Hearst | Forest Dweller | Indicates someone living near or in a forest. | Both | English |
Howland | High Land | Indicates a person from a high or elevated land. | Both | English |
Hussey | Wise, Intelligent | Implies a person with wisdom and intelligence. | Both | English |
Holcombe | Valley with a Hollow | Describes a valley with a hollow or depression. | Both | English |
Halse | Neck of Land, Narrow Passage | Refers to a narrow passage of land. | Both | English |
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Family names starting with H
Here are some family last names that start with H along with their meanings:
- Harrison – “Son of Harry.” It indicates paternity from someone named Harry.
- Hill – Refers to a geographical feature, an elevated piece of land.
- Hayes – “Enclosure” or “Hedged Area.” Indicates a person living near a hedge or enclosed area.
- Hamilton – “Beautiful Mountain Town.” Suggests a person from a town near a beautiful mountain.
- Harris – “Son of Harry.” Similar to Harrison, it denotes paternity from someone named Harry.
- Henderson – “Son of Henry.” Indicates paternity from someone named Henry.
- Hudson – “Son of Hudde.” Hudde is a medieval given name, possibly meaning “mind” or “spirit.”
- Hoover – Derived from “Huber,” meaning “owner” or “manager.”
- Hawkins – “Son of Hawk.” It may refer to someone associated with hawks.
- Hart – “Stag” or “Deer.” Symbolizes strength, courage, and swiftness.
- Hale – “Healthy” or “Vigorous.” Suggests a person in good health.
- Hardy – “Brave” or “Bold.” Describes someone with courage and resilience.
- Harvey – “Battle Worthy” or “Warrior.” Implies a person suited for battle.
- Hess – “Hessian.” Indicates a person from the region of Hesse in Germany.
- Holt – “Wood” or “Forest.” Refers to a person living near a small wood or forest.
- Hubbard – “Bright Heart.” Implies a person with a cheerful or lively disposition.
- Hesseltine – Possibly derived from “Hessel,” a given name meaning “dweller at the hazel trees.”
- Higgins – “Son of Hugh.” Denotes paternity from someone named Hugh.
- Holloway – “Holly Way.” Suggests a path or road lined with holly trees.
- Heath – “Heathland” or “Wasteland.” Refers to a person living near a heath or wasteland.
Unique H surnames
Here are some unique last names that start with H along with their meanings or origins:
- Hawthorn – Derived from the hawthorn tree, symbolizing hope and protection.
- Holloway – Refers to a road or path that passes through a hollow or valley.
- Hazeltine – Indicates someone living near hazel trees or a grove of hazel.
- Hollister – Originally meant a person from a holly tree forest or grove.
- Hightower – Suggests a person living in a high or tall tower or building.
- Huddleston – Indicates someone from a town near a hill or high ground.
- Halifax – Refers to a town on a rocky or hilly area by a body of water.
- Hensley – Means a high meadow, usually on a hill or elevated area.
- Hartford – Indicates someone from a ford (crossing) near deer habitat.
- Hartwell – Suggests a person living near a spring frequented by deer.
- Hammerstein – Combines “hammer” and “stone,” possibly a trade name.
- Hartmann – Means “strong, brave man” in German.
- Hallowell – Refers to a well or spring with religious or holy significance.
- Hepburn – Indicates a person living near a brook with a hep or mound.
- Hoskins – Originally meant “son of Hodge,” a diminutive of Roger.
- Hollander – Indicates someone from the Netherlands (Holland).
- Hartshorn – Refers to the antler of a male deer used in medicinal remedies.
- Herschel – Derived from the German word for “deer,” used as a nickname.
- Hewlett – Refers to a person living by a holly tree or holly grove.
- Himes – Possibly a variant of the name Hymes, of Germanic origin.
Popular H last names
Here are some popular last names start H along with their meanings:
- Harris – Son of Harry (English)
- Harrison – Son of Harry (English)
- Hernandez – Son of Hernando (Spanish)
- Hall – Dwelling by a Hall (English)
- Hill – Elevated land or hill (English)
- Hayes – Enclosure, Hedged Area (English)
- Henderson – Son of Henry (Scottish)
- Hughes – Son of Hugh (Welsh)
- Hoffman – Courtier, Steward (German)
- Hansen – Son of Hans (Danish/Norwegian)
- Hart – Strong, Brave (English)
- Hartman – Strong, Stalwart Man (German)
- Holt – Wood, Forest (English)
- Hendricks – Son of Henry (Dutch)
- Holland – From the Land (Dutch)
- Harvey – Battle Worthy (English)
- Howard – High Guardian (English)
- Hudson – Son of Hud (English)
- Heath – Heathland, Wasteland (English)
- Henry – Ruler of the Household (English)
Famous last names
Here are some famous last names that start with H along with their meanings:
- Harrison – Son of Harry
- Hemingway – Home on the meadow
- Hawking – Son of Hawk
- Hilton – Settlement on a hill
- Hawthorne – Thorny bush or tree
- Hitchcock – Small stream or brook
- Hanks – Son of Hank (a variant of John)
- Holmes – Island or low-lying land near water
- Hoffman – Courtier, steward
- Harris – Son of Harry
- Hamilton – Beautiful mountain town
- Henson – Son of Henry
- Hudson – Son of Hud (a medieval given name)
- Heath – Wasteland or heathland
- Hayes – Enclosure or hedged area
- Harper – Harp player
- Hardy – Bold, courageous
- Howell – Remarkable, extraordinary
- Hess – Dweller at the hawthorn tree
- Hubbard – Bright-hearted
Modern last names starting with H
Here are some modern last names that start with H along with their meanings:
- Harrison – Son of Harry
- Hendricks – Son of Henry
- Hayes – Enclosure or hedged area
- Harris – Son of Harry
- Hamilton – Beautiful mountain town
- Holmes – Island or low-lying land near water
- Holden – Hollow in the valley
- Hoffman – Courtier, steward
- Hubbard – Bright-hearted
- Hartman – Strong, stalwart man
- Hilton – Settlement on a hill
- Hansen – Son of Hans (John)
- Hudson – Son of Hud
- Hicks – Son of Richard
- Harding – Son of Hardouin (brave, hardy)
- Holloway – Holy way
- Hancock – Son of John
- Hayward – Keeper of the hedge
- Hurley – Sea tidal inlet
- Hodge – Son of Roger
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What are some common meanings associated with last names start with H?
Last names starting with ‘H’ often have meanings related to natural elements (like Hayes for hedged areas), occupations (like Harper for harp players), or may indicate familial lineage (like Harrison, meaning “son of Harry”).
Are there any famous individuals with last names that start with H?
Yes, there are several famous individuals with last names starting with ‘H’, including George Harrison (from The Beatles), Ernest Hemingway (renowned author), and Audrey Hepburn (iconic actress).
How diverse are the origins of last names that start with H?
Last names beginning with ‘H’ have diverse origins. They can be of English, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and even Jewish descent, among others.
Can ‘H’ last names be used as first names?
Yes, many last names starting with ‘H’ can be used as first names. This trend has become increasingly popular, giving individuals a unique and meaningful choice for their first name.
What are some notable variations or alternate spellings of last names that start with H?
Variations of ‘H’ last names may include alternate spellings, regional adaptations, or changes that occurred over time due to language evolution or immigration. For example, “Haynes” and “Haines” are variations of the same surname.
Last names that begin with the letter “H” encompass a wide spectrum of meanings and origins, showcasing the diversity of human history and heritage. From the timeless “Harrison” denoting a son of Harry to the contemporary “Hendricks” signifying a son of Henry, these surnames weave together stories of familial lineage and cultural backgrounds.
Whether rooted in the English countryside or inspired by natural elements like “Hayes” or “Hudson,” these names serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of our ancestors. As we embrace the tapestry of “H” last names, we continue to celebrate the rich mosaic of human identity and connection across generations.