This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Haring' (Yonge). There can be no doubt about the parentage of our Herrings. It will be observed that the prefix 'le' is never found in these early records, suggesting that the surname is not (at least in the majority of cases) a nickname taken from the fish. They are generally found inland also. It is quite certain, too, from such local names as Harrington, Herrington, Herringham, Herringshaw, Herringswell, and Herringstone, that the personal title was of very early use. It may be regarded that most of our Herrings are of fontal origin.

John Hareng, Bedfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Alan Haring, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Nigel Haring, Canterbury, ibid.

Robert Henn, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Roger Hering, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Reymund Heryng, 1307. Writs of Parliament.

Alice Haryng, Close Rolls, 31 Henry III.

1729. Married — John Herring and Mary Bennet: St. George, Hanover Square.

1748. — William Hering and Sarah Russell: ibid.

Mawer (p. 112) gives Hering as an Old English personal name. Adam Hereng' witnessed a charter by William the Lion to the Priory of Coldingham (Raine, 50). Petronilla, daughter of Adam Harang of Meinichoch (Minnigaff), granted to the church of Melrose part of the lands of Bortwic in the parish of Roberton in the reign of Alexander II (Melros, p. 30, 34). An account of the domestic tragedy which nearly brought the family of Herring to ruin in 1371 is described in the Memorie of the Somervills, I, p. 118—121. The tragedy occurred at Gilmerton Grange near Edinbergh. Gilbert Heryng witnessed a charter of the Haigh of Scuny in Fife, 1395 (Wemyss, II, 33), and John Hering, dominus de Glasclune, was present at perambulation of the marches of Kirknes and Louchor in the same year (RPSA., p. 3). Patrick Heryng was juror on a claim to a third part of Cranshaws in 1453 (Swinton, p. xxxix), John Heryng or Herynge held part of Cowhyr, 1457 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 132), and William Hering was one of several charged with holding Dunbar Castle against the king, 1479 (APS., II, p. 125). Robert Hering was agent for the countess of Huntly, 1483 (CRA. p. 412), and James Hering of Tulybole in record in 1491 (Fordell, p. 89) may be James Heryng who was vicar of Murhus (Murroes) in 1508 (RAA., II, 464). James Herring was appointed provost and parson of Methven, 1574 (Merhven, p. 4). Herene 1622.

Possibly from the fish, and originally applied by way of sobriquet, since in the XIV. cent. we find some compounds of it, now apparently extinct; viz. Castherring, Schottenheryng, and Rotenheryng! It is more likely however to be an ancient Scandinavian personal name, whence the names of the parishes, &c., of Herringby, Herringfleet, Herringstone, Herringswell, and Herrington.

Hirring, a town in the Diocese of Alburg, Denmark.

This name may be the same as Hering, from some locality compounded of ing, a meadow. Hornsey, Middlesex, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century was called in public records Haringee, Haringhee, or Haringay, signifying the meadow of hares. Pott however gives Herr and Herring as German names; and the root may be Old German herrin, a lady, fem. of herr; or from Anglo-Saxon here-rinc, which Dr. Bosworth renders "hostile counsellor;" but which may also mean "war counsellor."

Herring was a common Norfolk name in the time of Edward I., when it was written Hering (H. R.). The Rev. Richard Herring, who died in 1712, was vicar of the parish of Haxey in this county for nearly forty years (Sto.).