Recorded in various spellings including Hern, Hearne, Hierne, Hiorn, Horn, Horne, and plural forms such as Hornes and Hiorns, this is an English surname. It has a number of possible origins. Firstly it may have been a medieval nickname. These were given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, in this case a persons nose or jaw. with the derivation from the pre 7th century Olde English word "horn". Secondly it may have been occupational and as such have described a skilled maker of articles made form horn, a widely used material in the Middle Ages for combs, spoons and items of jewellery. Thirdly the name may have originated for someone who played the musical instrument made from the horn of an animal. Lastly the surname may be topographical from residence near a spur or tongue of land called a horn, and deriving from the Olde English word "horna"; or it could be locational from any of the places called Horne, as in the villages in Rutlandshire and Surrey. Amongst the many interesting recordings are those of Ann Hiorne, who married John Cofts at St Sepulchre church in the city of London, on June 29th 1679, whilst Sir William Horne (1774 - 1860), was attorney general to Queen Adelaide, wife of William 1V, in 1830. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Lifwine Horn. This was dated 1066, in the "Old English Byname Register", during the reign of King William 1st, and known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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