Where the Hunter name comes from

Hunter means one who hunts, and a huntsman is exactly who it named. The name comes out of Old English and dates back to the 12th century in Scotland. Through the Middle Ages it worked as an occupational surname for the person who did the hunting. Hunt, Huntar and Huntter all appear among its historical variations.

It is recorded as both an English and a Scottish surname, and on both sides it starts from the occupation. The English word hunter is its immediate source. The surname was also transferred into use as a given name.