The name Heather is derived from the Old English word 'hæddre', which referred to the flowering evergreen plant found in heathlands and moorlands. It was a popular name in Medieval England, often given to babies born or found on the heaths. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 12th century.

Heather was a common name among the peasant class in England during the Middle Ages. It gained popularity among the nobility in the 16th century, with the birth of Heather Sutton (1545-1612), the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Yorkshire. Heather Sutton later became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, Heather Fell (1624-1698) was a prominent Quaker preacher and author from Lancashire, known for her writings on religious tolerance and non-violence. Another notable figure was Heather Howe (1672-1741), a Scottish botanist and one of the first women to be elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The name Heather experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. One of the earliest recorded instances was Heather Longfellow (1808-1892), the daughter of the famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Heather Graham (1820-1888) was a Scottish-American novelist known for her historical romance novels set in the Scottish Highlands.

In the 20th century, Heather Squier (1915-2004) was an American artist and illustrator, renowned for her children's book illustrations. Heather Firbank (1888-1945) was a British novelist and memoirist, known for her wit and unconventional lifestyle. Heather O'Rourke (1975-1988) was a child actress best known for her role as Carol Anne Freeling in the Poltergeist film series.