hird

Hird is a term with several distinct uses. In historical contexts, the Old Norse hirð, anglicized as hird, referred to a lord’s retinue or royal bodyguard—an accompanying force of warriors and attendants who served a king or chieftain. The hird performed military, protective, and ceremonial duties and is described in Norse sagas and medieval chronicles as part of the royal or noble household.

As a surname, Hird exists among English- and Scandinavian-origin families. Notable individuals include James Hird (born 1973), an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon and later served as the club’s coach.

Geographically, Hird appears in the names of some small places and features in various regions, though none are widely known as major urban centers. In contemporary use, the term may also be encountered as a surname or toponym in literature and media.