Hendy

Hendy is a British surname of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient Celtic personal name 'Henri'. The name is commonly found in Wales and the south-west of England, particularly in Cornwall and Devon.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Hendy is believed to have originated from the Old Welsh personal name 'Henri', which means 'ruler of the home' or 'lord of the manor'. Over time, this personal name evolved into the surname Hendy, which is now carried by numerous families across the United Kingdom and beyond.

Distribution and Popularity

The surname Hendy is most commonly found in Wales, particularly in the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. It is also prevalent in the south-west of England, notably in Cornwall and Devon. The name has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, through emigration.

Notable People

1. Sir Philip Hendy (1900–1980)

Sir Philip Hendy was a renowned British art historian and museum director. He served as the Director of the National Gallery in London from 1946 to 1967, making significant contributions to the gallery's collections and exhibitions.

2. Julia Hendy-Cartoon (b. 1985)

Julia Hendy-Cartoon is a contemporary British artist known for her vibrant and expressive paintings. Her work has been exhibited in galleries across the UK and has garnered critical acclaim for its unique style and emotive content.

References

  1. Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames.
  2. Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.

There are approximately 2,854 people named Hendy in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,127th most common surname in Britain. Around 44 in a million people in Britain are named Hendy.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Robert

Female

  • Ann
  • Christine
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jane
  • Janet
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Rebecca
  • Rosemary
  • Samantha
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

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

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.