Harris Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Harris name began, what it means, and where it was first recorded.
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Origin of the Harris name
Harris is a patronymic meaning "son of Harry". Harry was the everyday English form of Henry, from the Germanic Heimric, "home-ruler". The surname is common throughout England and Wales and became one of the most frequent surnames in the United States.
Son of Harry
Harris is an English and Welsh patronymic: Harry, the everyday medieval form of Henry, plus the genitive -s, "Harry's (son)". The name Henri came to England with the Normans after 1066 and spread quickly, which is why Harris and Harrison are both so common.
The figures bear that out. Forebears estimates about 132,000 bearers in England, ranking it 23rd, and 770,000 in the United States, where the 2010 Census ranked it 25th, with 624,252 people. Wikipedia notes it also took root in Ireland through the Plantation of Ulster. Liberia, with roughly 21,000 bearers in Forebears' estimate, shows the name carried by African American settlers in the 19th century.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Harris name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Harris name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Harris pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Harris coat of arms for you.
Harris name FAQ
What does the Harris name mean?
Son of Harry (Henry). Common variants include Harries, Harrison, Harriss.
Where does the Harris surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Harris coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Harris crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Harris coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
What nationality is the surname Harris?
English and Welsh; it is also established in Ireland, the US and Australia.
Are Harris and Harrison related?
Yes. Both come from Harry, the medieval form of Henry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford). Facts and figures: Forebears surname distribution (estimates); US Census Bureau, 2010 surname file; Wikipedia, "Harris (surname)". Forebears figures are modelled estimates, rounded.