22,840 HURD members around the world

HURD Family History

Recorded in several spellings including Herd, Hurd, Hurde, Hurdman, and the patronymics or diminiutives Hurdis, Hurdiss and Herdson, this is an English surname. It is one of the occupational names for a keeper of animals, generally cows or sheep. The derivation is from the pre 7th Century Olde English word 'hierde' meaning a herd or flock. Occupational surnames were amongst the earliest to be created, but often they did not become hereditary unless a son or sometimes a grandson, followed in the footsteps of the father.