Harrington

Harrington is an habitational surname of English origin, derived from one of several places in England named Harrington. The place name itself comes from Old English elements: either hæfer meaning 'he-goat' or 'oats' plus -ing 'people of' and tūn 'settlement, town', thus meaning 'the town of Hæfer's people' or in some cases from stān 'stone' + -ing + tūn, meaning 'stony town'.

Etymology and Origins

The surname Harrington is exclusively a habitational name, not arising from any common trade or personal characteristic. Notable English locations that gave rise to the surname include Harrington in Cumbria, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire. The first recorded instances of the surname in England date back to the 13th century, with early bearers including Robert de Harrington (1247). In some cases, the Irish surname Harrington is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó hArrachtáin, meaning 'descendant of Arrachtán', a personal name likely derived from arracht 'hero' or 'champion'. This Irish variant is unrelated to the English habitational name but shares the modern spelling.

Global Distribution and Variants

While historically concentrated in England—particularly in the counties of Cumbria and Northamptonshire—the Harrington surname has since spread worldwide through emigration. Today, it is common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking nations. Variant forms include Harington, which is less common but found in historical records. In some Irish families, the name may retain the Gaelic spelling or appear with the prefix O' or Ó in older documents.

Notable Bearers

The Harrington name has been borne by several prominent individuals throughout history. Among them are political figures such as James Harrington (1611–1677), an English political theorist of the Republican period, known for his work The Commonwealth of Oceana. In the arts, there is Joy Harrington, an English actress; sport includes Al Harrington, a former NBA basketball player; and cuisine includes Sir Sidney Harrington, an Australian politician. The spelling Harington is famously associated with Sir John Harington (c. 1560–1612), English courtier and early champion of the flush toilet.

Key Facts

• Meaning: “Hæfer's town” or “stony town”
• Origin: English
• Type: Habitational
• Regions of use: England, Ireland (as anglicization), USA, Canada, Australia