Surname Hartwell - Meaning and Origin

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D. Hartwell

Hartwell: What does the surname Hartwell mean?

The surname Hartwell is of English origin and is derived from place names located in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, England. The name Hartwell is a combination of two Old English words: "heorot," which means "stag" or "deer," and "wella," which means "spring" or "stream." Hence, the name Hartwell suggests a place where stags gather for drinking water, essentially a stream or spring frequently visited by stags or deer. This name is emblematic of the time when surnames directly related to residents' geographical locations, professions, or father's name. A person was given this name if they lived near such a location. Over the years, it has been spelled in various ways, including Hartwell, Hartewell, and Artwell. People with this surname can often trace their ancestry back to these specific areas in England.

Hartwell: Where does the name Hartwell come from?

The last name Hartwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "heorot", which means stag or deer, and "well(a)", meaning spring or stream. It is a locational surname, originally indicating that the first bearers lived or worked near a spring or stream frequented by stags, or perhaps in one of several places named Hartwell in England. The surname began to appear in written records in various English counties during the 13th century.

Today, the surname Hartwell is most common in the United States, especially in the southeastern states of Georgia and Alabama. It is also found in England, particularly in the East Midlands and East of England regions. It is less common, but still found to some degree in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Hartwell

The surname Hartwell is of English origin, derived from places in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. Its variations and spellings could include Hartwill, Hartewell, and Hartwelle. It belongs to the categories of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

The surname could possibly be further localized to specific regions, resulting in variations such as Hartwell of Aylesbury (a town in Buckinghamshire) or Hartwell of Brackley (a town in Northamptonshire). However, these variations are rare, as the surname is primarily preserved as Hartwell.

The component parts of the name, "Hart" and "Well", can also be found in other surnames of similar origin. For example, "Hart" can be found in the surnames Hartman, Hartsell, Hartley, Hartfield, and more, while "Well" is a component in names like Maxwell, Greenwell, Cromwell, etc.

Nevertheless, these names, although sharing similar component parts, do not originate from Hartwell, and it would be a stretch to call them direct variants or derivatives. The same goes for the names that might sound similar phonetically, like Cartwell, Heartwell, or Hurtwell, but don't share the same origin or meaning.

Famous people with the name Hartwell

• Lis Wiehl: a legal analyst for Fox News, who was once married to Mickey Hartwell.
• Ed Hartwell: a former American footballer who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. He gained fame through his appearance in 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' when married to reality TV star Lisa Wu.
• Lilius Hartwell: a notable 19th-century American educator and reformer.
• Bill Hartwell: a former professional Canadian hockey player.
• Thomas M. Hartwell: a 19th-century banker, real estate developer, and politician from New York.
• David Hartwell: a prominent science fiction editor.
• Kim Hartwell: a British fitness trainer and model, who has gained recognition as a lifestyle influencer.
• Chris Hartwell: an American film critic and journalist.
• Emma Hartwell: an award-winning American author of children's books.
• Nancy Hartwell: an American author and recognized authority on human trafficking.
• William Hartwell: an English footballer who played as a forward in the early 20th century.
• Markus Hartwell: a Finnish politician and Member of Parliament.

Other surnames

HartweckHärtweckHartweckerHartwegHärtwegHartwegerHartwein