1) English toponymic surname 
The surname Hetherington is of English origin, derived from a like-named place in Northumberland. This placename is derived from Old English word elements—either hēahdēor (`stag`, `deer`), or hǣddre (`heather`); in addition to the elements -ing (`characterized by`), and tūn (`farmstead`, `settlement`). Early occurrences of the su...