HEMINGS
Hemings
Hemings is a British surname with a unique historical background. The surname is of Norman origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old French personal name, "Hemming", which itself was a form of the Germanic name "Hemma" meaning "shelter" or "protection". The surname Hemings is therefore considered to be an occupational name for a shelterer or protector.
The name Hemings is most notably associated with the Hemings family of Virginia in the United States. This family gained prominence due to its connection to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson had a longstanding relationship with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman who was believed to be the half-sister of his wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson. Sally Hemings was the mother of several children fathered by Thomas Jefferson, sparking significant historical debate and interest.
In the British context, the surname Hemings has a more scattered distribution, with individuals bearing this name found across different regions of the country. It is a relatively rare surname in the United Kingdom but has retained its distinctiveness due to its historical associations in the United States.
Overall, the surname Hemings carries with it a complex and intriguing history that spans continents and reflects the diversity of British surnames.
There are approximately 63 people named Hemings in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Hemings.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- William
Female
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.