Hearnes last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Hearnes is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Hearnes.

Meaning of Hearnes

An English surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "heron" or "egret".

Hearnes, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Hearnes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hearnes in America

Hearnes is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hearnes surname appeared 112 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Hearnes.

The history of the last name Hearnes

The surname Hearnes is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Herne, located in Kent, southeast England. The name Herne is thought to have originated from the Old English words "hyrne" or "herne," meaning "corner" or "angle," possibly referring to the location's geographical position.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Hearnes can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Herne." This historical record, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across England during the Norman conquest.

In the 13th century, records show the name spelled as "Hernes" and "Herneys," suggesting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. During this time, place names were commonly adopted as surnames, and the Hearnes surname likely emerged as a way to identify individuals from the village of Herne or its surrounding areas.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Hearnes include Sir John Hearnes (1535-1612), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Kent during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. Another notable figure was William Hearnes (1688-1745), an English clergyman and scholar who contributed to the study of antiquities and ancient manuscripts.

In the 16th century, records indicate that the Hearnes family had established themselves in various parts of Kent, with some branches migrating to neighboring counties like Sussex and Surrey. The surname also appears in parish records from this period, often spelled as "Hearnes" or "Hernes."

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Hearnes surname gained further prominence, with individuals like Thomas Hearnes (1678-1735), an English antiquarian and scholar who made significant contributions to the preservation of historical manuscripts and records. Another notable figure was Samuel Hearnes (1720-1792), a renowned English engraver and printmaker renowned for his intricate landscapes and portraits.

Throughout its history, the surname Hearnes has been associated with various occupations, including landowners, clergymen, scholars, and artisans. While the name has evolved in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the medieval village of Herne in Kent, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their connections to geographical locations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hearnes

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Hearnes.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hearnes was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 31.25% 35
Non-Hispanic Black Only 65.18% 73
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Hearnes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hearnes, please contact us.

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"Hearnes last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/hearnes-surname-popularity/.

"Hearnes last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/hearnes-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Hearnes last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/hearnes-surname-popularity/.

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