HUNTING
Hunting
Origin and Meaning
Hunting is an English surname of occupational origin. It derives from the Middle English word "hunte," which means a hunter or huntsman. The surname was likely bestowed upon individuals involved in hunting activities or working in a related field.
Geographical Distribution
The surname Hunting is predominantly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions with a strong historical connection to hunting and forestry practices. Counties such as Yorkshire, Surrey, and Hampshire have significant concentrations of individuals with the Hunting surname.
Variants
Variants of the Hunting surname include Huntting, Huntt, and Huntynge. These variations may have arisen due to regional dialects or differences in transliteration over time.
Notable Individuals
- John Hunting (1800–1873): A renowned gamekeeper and falconer who worked on various aristocratic estates in southern England.
- Margaret Hunting (1925–2010): A respected wildlife conservationist and author known for her work on endangered bird species in the Scottish Highlands.
Coat of Arms
The Hunting family crest typically features elements associated with hunting, such as a stag's head, hunting dogs, or hunting implements. The use of these symbols reflects the ancestral occupation and heritage of the surname.
Modern Distribution and Legacy
Today, individuals with the surname Hunting can be found across the United Kingdom and in other English-speaking countries. While the occupational origins of the name may have diminished over time, many bearers of the Hunting surname still take pride in their heritage and family history.
There are approximately 582 people named Hunting in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around nine in a million people in Britain are named Hunting.
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
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- James
- Joe
- John
- Jonathan
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- William
Female
- Betty
- Charissa
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Jennifer
- Kathleen
- Katie
- Lucy
- Pauline
- Sarah
- Sonia
- Susan
- Sylvia
- Tina
- Valerie
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.