Horatio is an English male given name, an Italianized form of the ancient Roman

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

'' nomen'' (name) ''

Horatius Horatius may refer to: People Roman era * several ancient Roman men of the '' gens Horatia'', including: ** Quintus Horatius Flaccus, the poet known in English as Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus (; 8 December 65 BC – 27 November 8 BC), Sueto ...

'', from the Roman ''

gens In ancient Rome, a gens ( or , ; : gentes ) was a family consisting of individuals who shared the same ''nomen gentilicium'' and who claimed descent from a common ancestor. A branch of a gens, sometimes identified by a distinct cognomen, was cal ...

'' (clan) '' Horatia''. The modern Italian form is '' Orazio'', the modern Spanish form '' Horacio''. It appears to have been first used in England in 1565, in the Tudor era during which the Italian

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

movement had started to influence English culture. The name

Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus (; 8 December 65 BC – 27 November 8 BC), Suetonius, Life of Horace commonly known in the English-speaking world as Horace (), was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus (also known as Octavian). Th ...

is another related name from the same Latin source.

History

Prominent English-language examples of the name "Horatio" include: Horatio de Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury (1565–1635), an English military leader, was one of the earliest English holders of the name, born 34 years before

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

invented the character Horatio in his 1599/1601 play ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...

''. He was a grandfather of Horatio Townshend, 1st Viscount Townshend (1630–1687), whose son

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, (; 18 April 167421 June 1738) was a British Whig statesman. From 1714 to 1717, and again from 1721 to 1730, he served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department . He directed British foreign po ...

(a ward of Col.

Robert Walpole Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (; 26 August 1676 – 18 March 1745), known between 1725 and 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British Whigs (British political party), Whig statesman who is generally regarded as the ''de facto'' first Prim ...

(1650–1700) of Houghton Hall in Norfolk) married Dorothy Walpole, one of the latter's daughters and a sister of

Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole, (8 December 16785 February 1757) was an English diplomat, politician and peer who served as the British ambassador to France from 1724 to 1730. He was the son of Robert Walpole and the younger brother of ...

(1678–1757) (and of Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745), the Prime Minister). The name Horatio was subsequently much used by the Walpole family and by the 1st Baron Walpole's illustrious younger cousin Admiral

Horatio Nelson Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte ( – 21 October 1805) was a Royal Navy officer whose leadership, grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories during the French ...

(1758–1805), his father's great-great grandson, born one year after 1st Baron Walpole's death. The 1st Baron Walpole's son, Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, 2nd Baron Walpole (1723–1809) served as a godfather at the christening of Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1758, who for that reason, as was common, was given his name.Pettigrew, Thomas, ''Memoirs of the Life of Vice-Admiral, Lord Viscount Nelson, K. B., Duke of Bronté'', London, 1849, p.1 The Admiral died without issue, but his great-nephew

Horatio Nelson, 3rd Earl Nelson Horatio Nelson, 3rd Earl Nelson, (7 August 1823 – 25 February 1913), was a British politician. He was the son of Thomas Nelson, 2nd Earl Nelson, Thomas Bolton (a nephew of Vice Admiral (Royal Navy), Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount ...

(1823–1913) (born with the surname "Bolton", eventual heir and great-nephew of the Admiral's elder brother

William Nelson, 1st Earl Nelson William Nelson, 1st Earl Nelson, 2nd Duke of Bronte (20 April 1757 – 28 February 1835), was an Anglican clergyman and an older brother of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson. Life Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe, into a family that ha ...

, heir of the Admiral) carried on the name.

People

* Horatio Alger Jr. (1832–1899), American author *

Horatio Allen Horatio Allen (May 10, 1802 – December 31, 1889) was an American civil engineer and inventor, and President of Erie Railroad in the year 1843–1844. Biography Born in Schenectady, New York, he graduated from Columbia University in 1823, a ...

(1802–1889), American civil engineer and inventor *

Horatio Saint George Anson Horatio St George Anson (1 August 1903 – 30 June 1925) was a British electrical engineer who in collaboration with Stephen Oswald Pearson discovered the Pearson–Anson effect, inventing the neon lamp relaxation oscillator. He was the son o ...

(1903–1925), British electrical engineer *

Horatio Thomas Austin Sir Horatio Thomas Austin (10 March 1800 – 16 November 1865) was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer. Biography Austin was born in England on 18 March 1800, the son of an official in the Chatham Dockyard. In 1828, was dispatched on ...

(1801–1865), British Royal Navy officer and arctic explorer *

Horatio Barber Captain Horatio Claude Barber (1875–1964) was an early British aviation pioneer and First World War flight instructor. In 1911 he flew the first cargo flight in Britain, transporting electric light bulbs from Shoreham to Hove. He was also ...

(1875–1964), British aviation pioneer *

Horatio Beck Horatio Beck (March 7, 1810 – June 11, 1874) was an American politician from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Kent County from 1867 to 1872. Early life Horatio Beck was born on March 7, 1810, a ...

(1810–1872), American politician * Horatio L. Birdsall (1833–1891), American Civil War soldier awarded the Medal of Honor *

Horatio Bottomley Horatio William Bottomley (23 March 1860 – 26 May 1933) was an English financier, journalist, editor, newspaper proprietor, swindler, and Member of Parliament. He is best known for his editorship of the popular magazine ''John Bull (maga ...

(1860–1932), English swindler, publisher and politician * Horatio Bridge (1806–1893), American naval commodore *

Horatio Brown Horatio Robert Forbes Brown (16 February 1854 – 19 August 1926) was a Scottish historian who specialized in the Venice#History, history of Venice and history of Italy, Italy. Born in Nice, he grew up in Midlothian, Scotland, was educated in E ...

(1854–1926), Scottish historian * Horatio Caro (1862–1920), English chess player * Horatio Chriesman (1797–1878) American surveyor, mayor in Mexican Texas and participant in the Texas Revolution * Horatio Clare (born 1973), British author * Horatio Davies (1842–1912), London businessman, politician and magistrate * Horatio Dresser (1866–1945), New Thought religious leader and author *

Horatio Earle Horatio Sawyer Earle (1855–1935), known as the "Father of Good Roads" or simply Horatio "Good Roads" Earle, was an American transport engineer. Early life Earle was born February 14, 1855, on a farm in Mount Holly, Vermont. He married Agn ...

(1855–1935), American road advocate *

Horatio Gates Horatio Lloyd Gates (July 26, 1727April 10, 1806) was a British-born American army officer who served as a general in the Continental Army during the early years of the American Revolutionary War, Revolutionary War. He took credit for the Ameri ...

(c. 1727–1806), American Revolutionary War general *

Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough (September 6, 1805 – December 18, 1852) was an American sculptor best known for his United States government commissions '' The Rescue'' (1837–50) and ''George Washington'' (1840). Biography The son of Elizabeth (''née ...

(1805–1852), American sculptor *

Horatio Hale Horatio Emmons Hale (May 3, 1817December 28, 1896) was an American-Canadian ethnologist, philologist and businessman. He is known for his study of languages as a key for classifying ancient peoples and being able to trace their migrations. Hale ...

(1817–1896), American-Canadian ethnologist, philologist and businessman * Horatio Hathaway (1831–1898), American industrialist, politician and philanthropist * Horatio Hocken (1857–1937), Canadian politician, social reformer and a founder of what became the ''Toronto Star'' newspaper * Horatio J. Homer (1848–1923), Boston's first African-American police officer * Horatio Nelson Jackson (1872–1955), American automobile pioneer and physician * Horatio Jones (pioneer) (1763–1836), American soldier and pioneer in Western New York * Horatio M. Jones (1826–1906), Justice of the Territorial Supreme Court of Nevada * Buck Jones (American football) (1888–1985), NFL football player in 1922 * Horatio King (1811–1897), American politician, Postmaster General of the United States * Horatio

Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (; 24 June 1850 – 5 June 1916) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. Kitchener came to prominence for his imperial campaigns, his involvement in the Second Boer War, a ...

(1850–1916), British field marshal * Horatio Luro (1901–1991), American thoroughbred horse racing trainer * Horatio Mann (1744–1814), English politician * Horatio McCulloch (1806–1867), Scottish landscape painter * Horatio Needham (1796–1863), American politician and lawyer *

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte ( – 21 October 1805) was a Royal Navy officer whose leadership, grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories during the French ...

(1758–1805), British admiral * Horatio Palavicino (c. 1540–1600), Italian-born financier and political agent in England * Horatio Parker (1863–1919), American composer * Horatio Frederick Phillips (1845–1924), early aviation pioneer from the United Kingdom * Horatio Potter (1802–1887), Episcopal bishop in the Diocese of New York * Horatio Powell (1806–1869), English jockey * Horatio Gordon Robley (1840–1930), British major general * Horatio Ross (1801–1886), Scottish sportsman and pioneering amateur photographer *

Horatio Sanz Horacio Sanz (born June 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Horatio Sanz, is an American comedian and actor. Sanz was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1998 to 2006. Early life Sanz was born on Ju ...

(born 1974), Chilean-born American comedian * Horatio Seymour (Vermont politician) (1778–1857), United States senator from Vermont *

Horatio Seymour Horatio Seymour (May 31, 1810February 12, 1886) was an American politician. He served as the eighteenth Governor of New York from 1853 to 1854 and again from 1863 to 1864. He was the History of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Pa ...

(1810–1886), American politician, 18th governor of New York * Horatio Sharpe (1718–1790), 22nd proprietary governor of Maryland * Horatio D. Sheppard (c. 1809–1879), American physician who founded the first penny press newspaper in the United States *

Horatio Spafford Horatio Gates Spafford (October 20, 1828, Troy, New York – September 25, 1888, Jerusalem) was an American lawyer and Presbyterian church elder. He is best known for penning the Christian hymn " It Is Well With My Soul" following the Great Chic ...

(1828–1888), lawyer, hymn writer * Horatio Torromé (1861–1920), British/Argentinian figure skater *

Horatio Townshend Horatio Townshend (c. 1683 – 4 October 1751) was an English banker and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1715 and 1734. Townshend was the son of Horatio Townshend, 1st Viscount Townshend and his second wife Mary Ashe, daughte ...

(c. 1683–1751), English banker and politician * Horatio Townshend, 1st Viscount Townshend (1630–1687), English politician * Horatio P. Van Cleve (1809–1891), Union Army general during the American Civil War * Horace Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury (1565–1635) (also Horatio de Vere), English military leader, grandfather of Horatio Townshend, 1st Viscount Townshend * Horatio Walker (1858–1938), Canadian painter *

(1678–1757), English diplomat * Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1723–1809), British politician, son of the 1st baron Walpole * Horatio Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford (1752–1822), English politician, son of the 1st earl * Horatio Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford (1783–1858), British politician, son of the 2nd earl * Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (1717–1797), commonly known as

Horace Walpole Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (; 24 September 1717 – 2 March 1797), better known as Horace Walpole, was an English Whig politician, writer, historian and antiquarian. He had Strawberry Hill House built in Twickenham, southwest London ...

, English author, art historian, antiquarian and politician * Horatio Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (third creation) (1813–1894), British politician, son of the 3rd earl * Horatio Wills (1811–1861), Australian pastoralist and politician * Horatio Wright (1820–1899), American engineer and American Civil War Union Army general * Horatio Nelson Young (1845–1913), American Civil War sailor awarded the Medal of Honor

Fictional characters

Horatio (Hamlet) Horatio is a character in William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Hamlet''. He was present on the field when King Hamlet (the father of the main character, Prince Hamlet) defeated Fortinbras (the king of Norway), and he has travelled to court from the ...

, in the play ''

'' by William Shakespeare *

Horatio Caine Horatio "H" Caine is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American crime drama '' CSI: Miami'', portrayed by David Caruso from 2002 to 2012. He is the head of the crime lab, under the rank of Lieutenant of the Miami-Dade Police Dep ...

, a police lieutenant in the television series ''CSI: Miami'' * Horatio Carlin, in the video game ''

Watch Dogs 2 ''Watch Dogs 2'' is a 2016 action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the sequel to 2014's '' Watch Dogs'' and the second installment in the '' Watch Dogs'' series. It was released for the PlayStation 4 ...

'' * Horatio Magellan Crunch, the mascot of '' Cap'n Crunch'' cereal * Admiral Lord Horatio D'Ascoyne, played by

Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. In the BFI, British Film Institute listing of 1999 of BFI Top 100 British films, the 100 most important British films of the 20th century ...

in the movie ''

Kind Hearts and Coronets ''Kind Hearts and Coronets'' is a 1949 British crime film, crime black comedy film directed by Robert Hamer. It features Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson and Alec Guinness; Guinness plays eight characters. The plot is loosely based ...

'' * Horatio Hellpop, in the comic book series ''Nexus'' *

Horatio Hornblower Horatio Hornblower is a fictional officer in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, the protagonist of a series of novels and stories by C. S. Forester. He later became the subject of films and radio and television programmes, and ...

, naval hero in a series of C. S. Forester novels * Horatio Peter McCallister, in the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' * Cap'n Horatio Turbot, a main character in the TV show ''

Paw Patrol ''Paw Patrol'' is a Canadian children's animated television series created by Keith Chapman and produced by Spin Master, Spin Master Entertainment, with animation provided by Guru Studio. In Canada, the series is primarily broadcast on TVOntario ...

'' * Horatio the Elephant, a ''

Sesame Street ''Sesame Street'' is an American educational television, educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation, and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Worksh ...

'' muppet * Horatio 2.0, a robotic tarsier in the TV series ''The Nutshack'' * Horatio, the protagonist in the video game '' Pit People'' * Horatio, the founder of the Horatio faction in the strategy game '' Endless Space''

References

{{given name Masculine given names Latin given names English masculine given names

History

People

Fictional characters

See also

References