HERRING

Herring is a surname of English and Scottish origin, derived from the British Isles. The name is rooted in the English language and reflects the Christian cultural milieu of medieval society.

The earliest recorded use of the word comes from Middle English, where it denoted the fish species known as the herring. Herring therefore began as an occupational surname for individuals who fished for or sold herring, a fish that was widely consumed during the Middle Ages.

From an Anglo‑Saxon perspective the surname originates in the old English term heorring, which directly means herring. It was often applied to people who worked at a herring fishery or who lived near one. The occupational nature of the name was common in medieval England, where surnames frequently identified a person’s trade.

Another plausible derivation comes from the medieval given name Hering, itself imported from the Old Norse Hjǫrúnǫr. The Norse name combines the Germanic element heri (warrior) with the suffix ‑ing (son or descendant), and it was brought to Britain by Viking settlers. Over time the given name evolved into the surname Herring, especially during the Middle Ages.

Historical records show a range of alternative spellings and variations: Hering, Herren, Herrin, Herin, Harring, Herrung, Herong, Herringer, and Horing. The name may have been used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a slender build resembling a herring, or as a toponymic marker for someone living near a place associated with the fish.

The surname is particularly common in the United States, Canada, and England today. Within England, the county of Norfolk hosts a large number of people bearing the name. In Scotland the counties of Fife and Caithness — both coastal regions where herring fishing was historically significant — also have many families with the surname Herring.

Although the name originates in Britain, it is relatively uncommon in Norway and other Scandinavian countries, suggesting that the occupational and Viking-derived streams of the surname are more influential in its British context.

In summary, the surname Herring illustrates a blend of occupational and topographical origins, with influences from Middle English, Anglo‑Saxon, and Old Norse linguistic traditions. It remains a recognised surname within the English‑speaking world and continues to be documented in genealogical and demographic records.

Typical given names associated with the Herring surname

Male

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

Female

• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Jennifer
• Louise
• Margaret
• Nicola
• Patricia
• Pauline
• Philippa
• Rebecca
• Sarah
• Susan

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 Herring in...

Braille

⠓⠑⠗⠗⠊⠝⠛

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 Herring

• Richard Herring - Comedian and writer
• John Herring - Athletics competitor (1935 to 2003)
• Alfred Cecil Herring - Soldier, Victoria Cross recipient (1888 to 1966)
• Robert Herring - RAF and Army officer (1896 to 1973)
• Cameron Herring - Welsh cricketer
• Clifford Herring - (1913 to 1997)
• Ed Herring - Artist (1945 to 1)

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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