Surname Hone - Meaning and Origin

Hone: What does the surname Hone mean?

The last name Hone is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "hone," which is thought to mean "heron." In the Middle Ages, heron was a symbol of strength, courage, and pride, and so the surname carried with it those same noble connotations. As such, the name began as a nickname for a person who was valued for his courage, strength and pride, qualities which were traditionally associated with herons. Over time, the surname developed into its current spelling and pronunciation (“Hone”).

Today, the surname is found in many countries around the world, often spelled slightly differently to reflect local variations in pronunciation. Even so the meaning and association of the name remain the same - a reflection of noble character traits.

The heron itself is a majestic looking bird, graceful and majestic in its movements, who is known to live by rivers or large bodies of water. The heron can also stand still for long periods of time, which may be symbolic of the haughty, independent nature of those associated with the surname Hone. These are qualities that many bearers of the name can lay claim to, and which may have contributed to its popularity and endurance over time.

In many ways, the surname Hone provides a reminder of the importance of strength, courage, and pride, and reflects the noble character of those who bear the name.

Hone: Where does the name Hone come from?

The surname Hone is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is most strongly associated with Gloucestershire, where more than 350 people with the name are currently recorded according to The Internet Surname Database.

The surname Hone can also be found in Ireland, particularly County Kerry and County Cork. On the island of Barbados, the name is recorded as being especially common in the town of St. John.

Hone is an old English name, first recorded in the Domesday Book in the 11th Century. It is thought to be derived from the pre-7th Century word "hana", meaning "hero". The name developed into many different variants, including Honen and Honan.

The surname is most commonly found as a first name in the United Kingdom, with other common locations being the United States, Ireland, Barbados and South Africa.

Today, Hone remains a relatively rare name, although its origin has been traced back to the Middle Ages. It is likely that the name is most strongly associated with England, due to its historic roots and the fact that the name has been established for centuries.

Variations of the surname Hone

The surname Hone has several variant spellings and also some variants of the same origin.

Variant spellings of Hone include Hoen, Hoene, Hoenne, Hoeney, Home, Homm, and Hommes.

Variants of the same origin are Hoeneck, Hoenecken, and Hoenecker.

The surname Hone is derived from the Middle Low German word “Honick”, which means a “heath-dweller”, thus suggesting that the original bearer of the name lived in a heathland. In old German dialects, “Honeck” was a term commonly used for “heathland”.

The surname could also have originated from the Dutch word “Hoeng”, which means “high”, or “Hoenring”, which means “rings of the Forrest Lords”.

In other countries such as Switzerland and Belgium, the surname “Hone” could also be derived from the Latin term “Honorius”, meaning “dignified, honorable”.

The name is also known in Europe as Hons, Hoehn, Honig, Honer, Honne, Honey, Hönig, Hoenig, Honigman, Hennig, and Henicke.

Hone can also be spelled as the Irish surnames O'Hone and O'Houn.

The same origin can be found in the Irish names Apache, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ui Thoin”, and in the Hawkes surname, which is derived from the Old French word “Harc”, meaning hawk” or "hunting bird".

Overall, the surname Hone has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. All of these names can trace their origin back to several different German and French roots, that all have an underlying meaning or significance.

Famous people with the name Hone

• Taura Hone, New Zealand artist.
• Kayla Hone, professional boxer.
• Sefo Hone, professional rugby player.
• Ahorangi Hone Houkamau, Chief Executive of Iwi organisation Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.
• Richard Hone, Irish lawyer and judge.
• Leo Hone, Australian professional rugby player.
• James Hone, former president of the YMCA.
• Brendon Hone, former All Blacks rugby player.
• Robert Hone, former president of the Automotive Institute of America.
• John James Hone, sister photographer of the Hudson River School.
• Ebenezer Hone, British artist.
• William Henry Hone, British author.
• Harry Hone, American professional football player.
• Arthur Hone, New Zealand politician.
• Susan Hone, American author and educator.
• Pat Hone, New Zealand Olympic pole vaulter.
• Helen Hone, Irish cricketer and hockey player.
• Jeremaine Hone, professional footballer in Japan.
• Claire Hone, New Zealand Olympic shot putter.
• Steven Hone, English cricketer.

Other surnames

HonackerHonakerHöneckeHönekeHonerjägerHonervogtHönervogtHonewellHoneyHoneychurchHoneycuttHongHonigbaumHoningerHonloserHonnackerHönneckeHönnscheidtHonoldHonsaHonsackHonsakHonscheidHönscheidHonscheidtHönscheidtHonsigHonsikHontersHonychurch