Hetherington

The surname Hetherington is of English origin, derived from a like-named place in Northumberland. This placename is derived from Old English word elements—either hēahdēor ("stag", "deer"), or hǣddre ("heather"); in addition to the elements -ing ("characterized by"), and tūn ("farmstead", "settlement"). Early occurrences of the surname in English records are: de Hetherington (in 1298), de Hetherynton (in 1316), and Etherington (in 1672). A variant form of the surname is Heatherington, and perhaps Hetherton. Forms of the surname have been recorded in Ireland since the 16th century.