An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hornung

by Friedrich Kluge

Hornung, m., ‘February,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. hornunc(g); the termination -ung is patronymic; February is regarded as the offspring of January, which in earlier ModHG. (dial.) is designated by großer Horn, ‘great horn,’ in contrast with February, kleiner Horn, ‘little horn.’ Comp. AS. and OIc. hornung, ‘bastard’?.