Surname Harrelson - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Harrelson: What does the surname Harrelson mean?
The surname Harrelson is of English origin and is an Americanized variant of Harrel. It typically originates as a patronymic from the medieval personal name Harald or Herald which was introduced into England by the Normans in the form of "Herold". The name consists of two Germanic elements: "heri" or "hari" meaning army, and "wald" meaning rule. Thus, Harald implicitly means 'army rule' or 'leader of the army'. Variations of the name include Harrel, Harrell, Haroldson, Harroldson, and Harrolson among others. Due to the patronymic nature of the surname, an individual called Harrelson could be assumed to be 'the son of Harrold'. However, as names have evolved and adapted over time, this is not strictly the case anymore. Individuals with this surname can be found around the world, although it is most common in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrelson: Where does the name Harrelson come from?
The surname Harrelson is of English origin. It is believed to be a patronymic form of the personal name "Harold" or a variant of "Harrison," meaning "son of Harry." This name often emerged independently in many areas, created by the same pattern of adding a"son" suffix to the personal name of a father.
In the United States, the popularity of the name increased significantly due to the fame of some notable people like Woody Harrelson, a well-known actor. According to Forebears, a site that specializes in recording and analyzing surname distributions globally, Harrelson is most popular in the United States, ranking 5,577th most common surname. It is also mildly common in several other countries like Canada and England, albeit at a less significant density.
In terms of regional concentration in the U.S., the highest number of people with the Harrelson surname is in the North and South Carolina states, followed by Georgia, Florida, and Texas. This suggests a dense concentration in the southeastern United States.
Variations of the surname Harrelson
The surname Harrelson typically refers to the English origin. Several variants or similar spellings for this surname may include Haralson, Harralson, Herrelson, Harleson, Harelson, Harolson, and possibly Harrleson. These changes commonly occur due to clerical mistakes, phonetic spelling, or translation to another language.
It's also possible that the name has regional variants, related surnames, or derivations from patronymic naming systems. For instance, "Haroldson," "Heraldson," or "Haraldson" could be related, deriving from the first name Harold.
Additionally, Harrelson might have evolved from the surnames Harrison or Harris, with an 'l' added due to phonetic spelling or regional dialects.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list as specific variations might very exceptionally or rarely occur or they might be more prevalent in certain areas or communities. Genetic genealogical testing along with traditional genealogical research can provide a more precise and personal breakdown of a surname's variations and origins.
Famous people with the name Harrelson
- Woody Harrelson: A renowned American actor and playwright best known for his roles in television series "Cheers" and films like "The Hunger Games" series, "Zombieland", and the critically acclaimed "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri".
- Brett Harrelson: An American actor and the younger brother of Woody Harrelson. He appeared alongside his brother in "The People vs. Larry Flynt."
- Charles Harrelson: An American contract killer and organized crime figure. He was also the father of actors Woody and Brett Harrelson.
- Millie Bobby Brown (Millie Harrelson): Although not a Harrelson by birth, this award-winning British actress known for her role as Eleven in the Netflix series "Stranger Things" is the goddaughter of Woody Harrelson.
- Laura Louie: Businesswoman and wife of Woody Harrelson. She co-founded the organic food delivery service, Yoganics.
- Deni Montana Harrelson: Daughter of Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie, who has made a few acting appearances.
- Zoe Giordano Harrelson: Another daughter of Woody Harrelson, she has kept out of Hollywood so far.
- Annachi Harrelson: The youngest daughter of Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie, who is also not involved in the entertainment industry as of now.