Hastings Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Hastings come from? What does the surname Hastings mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Hastings and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Surname Hastings Origin: What does the last name Hastings mean?
The surname Hastings is of English and Irish origin, commonly used as both a surname and a given name. In England, it may be a patronymic surname from the Anglo-Norman personal name Hasting or a toponymic surname from Hastings in Sussex. In Ireland, it is often an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic sept of Ó hOistín, later Anglicized as Hastings. According to YourRoots data, the surname Hastings dates back to the early 11th century in the United Kingdom, and has since spread globally.
YourRoots data confirms the widespread presence of the Hastings surname in the United States, United Kingdom, and various countries worldwide. The surname has evolved over time, with records showing its expansion to countries like France and the United States by the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, individuals with the surname Hastings can be found in diverse locations such as India, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Ireland, France, Nigeria, and beyond, highlighting the surname's enduring global significance and rich historical roots.
Hastings Last Name History: Where did the last name Hastings come from?
Origin of Hastings Surname: Where does the last name Hastings originate from?
The YourRoots database indicates that the earliest records of the surname Hastings are found in the United Kingdom, specifically in England, around the early 11th century. This information pertains to the exact "Hastings" spelling within the YourRoots data source, and does not encompass other potential variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Hastings: How has the Hastings surname evolved over time?
From the 11th to the 15th century, the Hastings surname was primarily associated with England, as per the YourRoots data. Throughout these centuries, the frequency of Hastings records saw a steady increase in England. By the 16th century, other countries began to emerge in the records, with a notable increase in the United States during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Hastings surname today?
The frequency of Hastings surname records saw a significant rise in the United States from the 16th century onward, overtaking the United Kingdom by the 17th century. This trend continued into the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the Hastings surname is not only prevalent in the United States and United Kingdom, but can also be found in other countries globally, as reflected in the diverse records within the YourRoots database.
Explore Hastings last name heritage and Hastings surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Hastings Surame?
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066) was a pivotal event in English history, marking the Norman Conquest of England. It was fought between the Norman-French army of William, Duke of Normandy, and the English army under King Harold Godwinson. William's victory led to his coronation as king of England, solidifying his conquest. Casualty estimates vary, but it was a bloody conflict that changed the course of English rule. The battle site in East Sussex, near the town of Battle, is now home to a monastery founded by William to commemorate his triumph.
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings (born 3 Jan 1962) is a Scottish former rugby union player known for his exceptional skills as a fullback. He represented Scotland in 61 caps, 20 as captain, and played for prominent teams like Watsonians and London Scottish. Hastings also played for the British Lions, touring Australia in 1989 and captaining the team on the 1993 tour to New Zealand. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003 and later into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013. Hastings remains a revered figure in Scottish rugby history, known for his leadership and sportsmanship.
Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings
Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings (1442 – between Jan and 25 Mar 1504) was a noblewoman from the powerful Neville family of northern England. She was the sister of military commander Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, known as Warwick the Kingmaker. Katherine was married twice, first to William Bonville, producing the wealthiest heiress in England, Cecily Bonville. After William's death, she married William Hastings, who was beheaded by King Richard III. Katherine was a key figure in the Wars of the Roses, with connections to royalty and powerful nobles, leaving a lasting impact on English history.
Thomas Hoo, Baron Hoo and Hastings
Thomas Hoo, Baron Hoo and Hastings (died 1455) was an English landowner, courtier, soldier, and diplomat. He was created a Knight of the Garter in 1446 and Baron Hoo and Hastings in 1448. As a servant of the Lancastrian throne, he played a role in military command in Normandy and negotiations for peace with France. With no son to inherit his title, Baron Hoo's lineage dates back to the Hoo family of Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire, known for their ancestral ties and significant estates in England. Despite his lack of a direct heir, Thomas Hoo's contributions to English history and diplomacy are remembered to this day.
Mary Hastings
Lady Mary Hastings (c. 1552 – c. 1589) was a courtier at the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Despite being suggested as a potential wife for the Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible, she never married him. Known as the "Empress of Muscovia," she was a descendant of the House of Plantagenet. Hastings' refusal to marry Ivan led to the decline of the proposed union. She remained unmarried until her death in the late 1580s.
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