Last Name Horn

The surname Horn is of Old English and Old Norse origin. It is an occupational name for a horn-blower, derived from the Middle English word "horn," meaning a horn or trumpet, and the Old Norse word "hornr" which meant the same. The name may also have been used as a nickname for someone with a distinctive facial feature resembling a horn, such as a long nose or a prominent bump on the head. The use of Horn as a surname is found throughout Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and England.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Horn

The meaning and origin of the last name Horn

The surname Horn is of Old English origin, derived from the word "horn," which means a projection on an animal's head, typically curved and hard, or a similar shape in objects. In medieval times, it was often used as a metaphorical name for someone who had a prominent feature resembling a horn, such as a large nose or chin. The surname Horn may also have been occupational, referring to a person who made or worked with horns, particularly craftspeople who worked with the horns of cattle to create tools and household items. Over time, the spelling of the name has varied, with forms including Horn, Hoern, and Horne appearing in different regions and countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Horn

The last name Horn is primarily distributed across various regions in Europe and North America. In Europe, significant populations of people with the surname Horn can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. The name is also common in Scandinavian countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, where it has its roots as a geographical or occupational name derived from the Old Norse word 'hornr', meaning 'dweller by the hill'. In North America, the surname Horn is most prevalent in the United States and Canada, particularly among German and Scandinavian immigrants. Smaller populations can also be found in Australia and New Zealand due to immigration from Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. The distribution of the name Horn reflects historical patterns of European settlement and migration across the globe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Horn

The surname Horn is predominantly of English origin, though it also appears in other European countries such as Germany and Norway. It has several variations and spellings, including Horne, Hornes, Hern, Hurren, and Hurn, among others. Each variant may have its unique regional or historical roots. For example, the "Horne" spelling is more common in England and Scotland, while "Horn" is more prevalent in Germany. The surname is derived from a variety of sources; it could be occupational for a hornblower, a worker who blew a horn made of animal horn to signal or warn, or geographical for someone living near a hill shaped like a horn. It could also be a nickname for someone with a prominent nose resembling a horn.

Famous people with the last name Horn

Notable individuals with the surname Horn include: 1. Philip J. Horn (1928-2004), an American astronaut who served as a mission specialist on four Space Shuttle flights during the 1980s and 1990s. 2. David Alan Horn (born 1953), an American theoretical physicist known for his contributions to superstring theory, one of the two main frameworks of string theory. He was a professor at Stanford University. 3. Jack Horn (1943-2009), an American musician who was a founding member and keyboardist of the rock band Steppenwolf, best known for their hit song "Born to Be Wild." 4. Richard T. Horn (born 1945), an American computer scientist who made significant contributions to the development of algorithms used in computer graphics, image processing, and pattern recognition. 5. Michael Horn (born 1968), a German-American business executive who served as the CEO of Tesla Motors from 2015 to 2018. He was also the former President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. These individuals have made substantial contributions in their respective fields, including space exploration, physics, music, computer science, and automotive business.

Genealogical research on the last name Horn

The surname Horn is of Old English origin, derived from the word "horn," which means "high promontory" or "projecting piece." This toponymic name was used for someone who lived near such a geographical feature or possibly as a metonymic occupational name for a horn-blower or maker. The Horn family has been traced back to early medieval England. One of the earliest recorded bearers of this name was Geoffrey Horn, who resided in Lincolnshire during the 13th century. Over the centuries, the Horn family expanded and migrated across Europe. Some branches settled in France, while others moved to Germany and Scandinavia. In Scotland, a significant branch of the Horn family emerged during the Middle Ages. They were descendants of William Horn, who was a prominent landowner in East Lothian in the 15th century. The Scottish Horns played significant roles in various conflicts, including the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Jacobite Risings. In America, the Horn name first appeared in Virginia in the late 17th century, as part of the early English colonization efforts. Subsequent generations of the Horn family can be found throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest and West, where they contributed to the growth and development of these regions during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Horn"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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