HEAD

Head is a surname of English origin, deriving from the Old English word heafod meaning “head” or “top”. The name can be understood in two principal ways. One possibility is that it functioned as a topographic identifier for a person who dwelt at the head of a stream or valley; the Old English term heaford was applied in this manner to describe a headland, summit or upper end of a watercourse. The other possible source is that the surname was a nickname or a metonymic occupational name, applied either to a medieval chief or village leader whose counsel was sought on matters of law and business, or to a healer or doctor, the term referring figuratively to expertise in health and bodily functions.

The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the late twelfth century. In 1166 the individual Ralph Heued is listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk during the reign of Henry the Builder of Churches (reign 1154–1189). Further examples appear in the Thirteenth Century: Thomas Hede in the Calverley Charters of Yorkshire (1246); Thomas del Heved of Nottinghamshire (1275); Roger Byheved of Cheshire (1285); and Walter Othehede of Derbyshire (1331). These records illustrate both the topical and nominal origins of the surname as it evolved across the British Isles.

In contemporary use the spelling has stabilized as Head, occasionally appearing in the plural form Heads or the variant Heed. The name has a notable historical presence in England and has spread to other English‑speaking countries through emigration.

The family coat of arms associated with the head surname features a silver shield bearing a chevron ermines between three black unicorn heads couped. The crest consists of a unicorn’s head couped ermines, a design that reflects the historic association of the name with strength and leadership.

Typical given names associated with the Head surname

Male

• Andrew
• Anthony
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Peter
• Robert
• Stephen

Female

• Amanda
• Barbara
• Christine
• Deborah
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Gillian
• Margaret
• Patricia
• Rebecca
• Sarah
• Sharon
• Susan
• Victoria

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Head in...

Braille

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Morse

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Semaphore

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Head

• Anthony Head - Actor
• Emily Head - Actress
• Murray Head - Actor and singer
• Patrick Head - Formula One team owner
• Henry Head - Neurologist (1861 to 1940)
• Michael Head - Composer and musician (1900 to 1976)
• Antony Head, 1st Viscount Head - Soldier, Conservative politician and diplomat (1906 to 1983)
• Michael Head - Singer-songwriter and musician
• Nathan Head - Actor
• Bert Head - Association football player, manager and coach (1916 to 2002)
• Lisa Head - Army officer, first female bomb disposal officer to be killed on operations (1981 to 2011)
• Alice Head - Journalist and businesswoman (1886 to 1981)
• Sally Head - Television producer
• Paul Head - Athlete
• Timothy Head - Cricketer
• Edmund Walker Head - Colonial administrator (1805 to 1868)
• Francis Bond Head - Soldier and Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada (1793 to 1875)
• Sara Head - Table tennis player
• Rayoni Head - Badminton player

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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