Surname Headrick - Meaning and Origin
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The results of my iGENEA DNA test shed light on my surname, Headrick, revealing an intriguing ancestral lineage, migration pattern, and regional origin. They exposed the Viking roots and a profound connection to Northern Europe, particularly the British Isles. An essential genetic marker, Haplogroup I1, connects my DNA to distinct Nordic heritage.
H. Headrick
read moreHeadrick: What does the surname Headrick mean?
The last name Headrick is of English origin and is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer, usually through the use of the prefix 'Head' or 'Heard'. For example, If the father's first name was Richard, the last name would be 'Headrick' or 'Heardrick'.
The main purpose of this naming convention in the Middle Ages was to identify the father's lineage. It was traditionally used among families of noble or royal descent. By the 18th century, the title of 'head' or 'heard' was used by other families and eventually lost its aristocratic associations.
Today, the surname Headrick is still most commonly found in England, especially in the West Midlands and South West of England. In the United States, the surname is mostly concentrated in the east coast states, particularly in Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Headrick is thought to be derived from an old English word meaning 'headstrong', making it a fitting surname for those with a bit of an independent streak. It is an admirable characteristic to strive for, and in this way, the surname Headrick serves as a reminder of the original bearer's courage, determination, and willpower.
Order DNA origin analysisHeadrick: Where does the name Headrick come from?
The last name Headrick is generally found in the United States and Canada. It is most dense in West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana. In the United States, there are approximately 12,000 people with the surname Headrick; this makes it the 2,202nd most common last name.
Headrick is an anglicized spelling of the German family name Hertig. This surname is derived from the Middle High German hertigo, meaning "steward." It likely designated a person who held a powerful administrative and judicial office in a royal or noble household.
Headrick is the most popular spelling of the name, though alternate spellings do exist, such as Hedrick, Hertig, and Hartig. It is found in other English speaking countries as well, with some minor variations in spelling, such as Hedrich in Canada, and Hartick in New Zealand.
The name can be traced to German immigrants who first arrived in Pennsylvania and Virginia in the 1700s. It is mostly associated with people from of the Appalachians, especially those encompassed by the states of West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana. Many bearers of the name are direct descendants of the original German settlers.
Today, the Headrick surname is fairly evenly distributed throughout the United States. It’s also fairly well-represented in the UK and Australia, especially in larger cities. With a combination of its German roots, and being concentrated in Appalachia, Headrick is a reminder of both the German immigrants of the 1700s, and the proud Appalachian heritage of many of their descendants today.
Variations of the surname Headrick
The surname Headrick has many spelling and surname variations, including Hedrick, Headrick, Hedderick, Heidrick, Heidrick, Heydrick, Heiderick, Heiderick, Hedric, Hadric, Heydrich, Heitzrich, Haydrick, Haydric, Heydrique, Haydrick, Hedrich, Haidritch, Hedreck, Heidreich, Headric, Hadrick, and Hayric.
The name originated from the Germanic language and it is thought to come from one of two Old High German roots: "Hadumar" meaning battle and "Hadaward", meaning leader. The modern German spelling is "Headerick", which is found in early German records.
Early settlers of what is now the United States adopted the name in many variations, including "Hedriking", which was seen in a record of 1790 in Pennsylvania. The spelling "Headrick" became popular in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and the spelling "Hederick" in the Ohio valley and along the Mississippi.
The spelling "Headrick" was also used in some counties in Kentucky and is a popular spelling in Texas, where the name remains common today. Common variations found in the UK are "Hadon", "Hedwig" and "Heidrick".
While some of the many meanings and usages of the name have been forgotten, it remains a popular surname in many countries. This is due to the fact that it is a variation of a renowned German title, which led early families who adopted the surname to proudly display it as a family name.
Famous people with the name Headrick
- Bob Headrick, former American football coach
- William T. Headrick, historian of the American Southwest
- Stephen Headrick, American artist
- David Headrick, American architect
- Mark Headrick, professor, sports psychologist, and author
- Will Headrick, American professional wrestler
- William J Headrick, assistant American football coach
- Joseph D. Headrick, American general
- Robert L. Headrick, former president of The Home Depot
- William B. Headrick, prominent lawyer and former state senator from Oklahoma