Surname Hawthorne - Meaning and Origin

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Hawthorne: What does the surname Hawthorne mean?

The last name Hawthorne is of English origin, derived from a place named Hawthorn. The name refers to someone who lived near a bush or hedge of hawthorn, a type of tree or shrub known for its thorny branches and white or pink blossoms. It denotes geographical origin, thus a toponymic surname. The term hawthorn is derived from the Old English words "hagu-thorn", where 'hagu' means hedge and 'thorn' means a thorny tree. So the surname Hawthorne essentially represents someone who resided near a hawthorn tree or hedge. With England having an abundance of such trees dating back to as early as the 13th century when surnames started to be used, the name became quite common. Over time it evolved into variations like Hathorn, Haughan, and Hagthorne. Hawthorne is also associated with American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, well known for iconic works like "The Scarlet Letter".

Hawthorne: Where does the name Hawthorne come from?

The surname Hawthorne is of English originally, derived from a place name. It relates to someone who lived near a patch of hawthorn trees or bushes. Hawthorn is a kind of tree characterized by its thorny bushes and pink-white flowers. First recorded in Durham (located in North-East England) as a family name in the 14th century.

Today, it is found most commonly in English-speaking countries like the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. According to the British surnames database, the largest number of Hawthornes reside in Northern Ireland. The name is also associated with American literary history as Nathaniel Hawthorne is a noteworthy bearer of this surname, known for his novels such as 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of Seven Gables.' Although not among the most common surnames, Hawthorne remains a widespread name in these regions.

Variations of the surname Hawthorne

The surname Hawthorne originates from English roots, primarily a topographic or a locational surname. The name is believed to be derived from Old English "haga", meaning "enclosure" and "thorn", meaning the hawthorn bush. The name was used for people who lived near a hawthorn tree or hedge.

The various spellings of Hawthorne include Hawthorn, Hathorne, Halterne, Hauthorne, and Hawtherne. The use of "e" at the end of the surname is common, but not universal. The slight differences in spelling could be attributed to regional dialects, personal preference, or clerical errors throughout history.

There are also different surnames derived from the same origin. Names such as Hagedorn or Hagethorn also translated to "hedge thorn" as hawthorn did. These surnames could be closely related or just developed independently due to the widespread presence of hawthorn bushes in England.

The notable historic figure with this surname was the American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, who himself added the "w" to his original surname, Hathorne, to distance himself from his ancestor, a judge in the Salem witch trials. His unique spelling of Hawthorne is among the most common versions of the surname today.

Famous people with the name Hawthorne

• Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864), American novelist
• Ewan Hawthorne (born 1957), Canadian actor
• Demi Hawthorne (born 1982), Canadian actress
• Alex Hawthorne (born 1985-), American entrepreneur
• Brigitte Hawthorne (born 1987-), British actress
• Winifred Hawthorne (1911-2016), American sculptor
• Harry Hawthorne (1917–2001), American jazz musician
• Lorna Hawthorne (born 1964), American athlete
• Daniel Hawthorne (born 1964), American anthropologist
• William Hawthorne (1919–2013), British actor

Other surnames

Hawthorn