Harefoot

Harefoot
Recorded as Harfoot, Harefoot, Harfitt, Harefeet and possibly others, this is a truly ancient English surname. Although quite rare it is one of the earliest of all names which can be recognized as surnames that may have become hereditary. In this case we have the recording of Harrold Harafot in the Old English Bynames Register for the city of London, in the year 1038. This was thirty years before the Norman Invasion of 1066. One hundred and fifty years later in the pipe rolls of the county of Lincoln we have the recording of Robert Harefot, and in Worcester in 1221, that of Samson Harefot. The origins of the surname are open to conjecture, but are probably Norse-Viking. Pre 7th century Norse has the word "harfotr" which does literally mean "Hare foot" but realistically may have been a nickname for a fast runner, or possibly an official messenger. Nicknames form one of the largest groups in early medieval surnames, in fact there are researchers who claim that in essence all surnames started out as a form of nickname. This name whether as a personal name or a surname is also rare in that it survived the Norman Conquest, when for two hundred years it became politically correct in England and Scotland to "adopt" French names. The Conquest was followed a century later by the famous Crusades to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. This also included a major introduction of "biblical " names into Northern Europe in the 12th century, but this name survived them all.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Harefoot — Hare foot ( f[oo^]t ), n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A long, narrow foot, carried (that is, produced or extending) forward; said of dogs. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) A tree ({Ochroma Lagopus}) of the West Indies, having the stamens united somewhat in the form of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harefoot — noun illegitimate son of Canute who seized the throne of England in 1037 (died in 1040) • Syn: ↑Harold I, ↑King Harold I, ↑Harold Harefoot • Instance Hypernyms: ↑King of England, ↑King of Great Britain …   Useful english dictionary

  • Harefoot clover — Harefoot Hare foot ( f[oo^]t ), n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A long, narrow foot, carried (that is, produced or extending) forward; said of dogs. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) A tree ({Ochroma Lagopus}) of the West Indies, having the stamens united somewhat in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Harold Harefoot — Infobox British Royalty|Monarch title=King of England name=Harold Harefoot imagesize= 250px reign=12 November 1035 – 17 March 1040 predecessor=Canute the Great successor=Harthacanute date of birth=c. 1015 place of birth= date of death=death… …   Wikipedia

  • Haroldo Harefoot — Haroldo, apodado con el sobrenombre de Harefoot ( pie de liebre ), por su extraordinaria velocidad y destreza para la caza, nació en el año 1016, siendo uno de los 2 hijos ilegítimos de Canuto el Grande, rey de Dinamarca, Noruega e Inglaterra,… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Haroldo Harefoot — Haroldo, apodado con el sobrenombre de Harefoot (Pies de Liebre), por su extraordinaria velocidad y destreza para la caza, nació en el año 1016, siendo uno de los 2 hijos ilegítimos de Canuto el Grande, rey de Dinamarca, Noruega e Inglaterra, con …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Harold Harefoot — noun illegitimate son of Canute who seized the throne of England in 1037 (died in 1040) • Syn: ↑Harold I, ↑King Harold I, ↑Harefoot • Instance Hypernyms: ↑King of England, ↑King of Great Britain …   Useful english dictionary

  • Harold Harefoot — Harold I of Denmark and England …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • Harold I — ( Harefoot ) died 1040, king of England 1035 40 (son of Canute). * * * known as Harold Harefoot died March 17, 1040, Oxford, Eng. King of England (1035–40). The illegitimate son of Canute the Great, he served as regent of England for his half… …   Universalium

  • Ochroma Lagopus — Harefoot Hare foot ( f[oo^]t ), n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A long, narrow foot, carried (that is, produced or extending) forward; said of dogs. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) A tree ({Ochroma Lagopus}) of the West Indies, having the stamens united somewhat in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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