Harry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Harry

What does the name Harry mean?

The ancient Normans that arrived in England following the Conquest of 1066 are the initial ancestors from which the many generations of the Harry family have grown. The name Harry was given to a member of the family who was a person who was the son of the ruler of the property upon which he lived. Initially, le Herisse, the name came to England with the Norman Conquest, and is of Old French derivation. Another derivation, which is probably more common shows that the name is a version of the Old English given name Harry. 1 Although both derivations are valid time has confused them and historians now disagree on which is appropriate in a given situation.

Early Origins of the Harry family

The surname Harry was first found in Normandy, where Hericius and his brothers were in 1022 prohibited by King Robert of France from making inroads of on the estates of a neighbouring abbey. "Henricus was father of Ancelin de Beaumont who in 1086 held a barony in Nottinghamshire. Ivo Fitz-Herice or De Heriz, his son was Viscount of Nottinghamshire before 1130." 2

His sons quickly spread through Britain as seen by Robert Fitz-Herice who was mentioned in a charter of Barberie Abbey, executed by Henry II; Josceline Fitz-Herice mentioned in Huntingdonshire in 1156; and William who held two fees in Nottinghamshire and four in Lincolnshire in 1165. Humphrey Hairez was listed in Berkshire in 1158.

William Herez held an estate in Wiltshire in the 13th century and later one of his descendants held estates in Salisbury in 1469 and was ancestor of the Earls of Malmsbury who also have three herrisons on their arms. 2

"Harris and Heris are armorially identified, each bearing three herissons (hedgehogs) in allusion to the name." 2

"Wootton Hall [in Wooton, Northamptonshire], the seat of W. Harris, Esq., stands elevated, and commands extensive prospects: the grounds are surrounded with thriving plantations." 3

"Radford, in Plymstock, [Devon] has been a seat of the Harris family for nearly 500 years. Here Ralegh is said to have been kept in ward on his return in 1618, and here at times Drake stored much of his treasure. " 4

Early History of the Harry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harry research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1399, 1483, 1581, 1588, 1596, 1600, 1628, 1631, 1644, 1649, 1650, 1658, 1661, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1680, 1685, 1686, 1719, 1775 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Harry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harry Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Harry include Harris, Harries, Harrys, Harryss, Haries, Haris, Hairis and many more.

Early Notables of the Harry family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John ap Harry of Poston in Vowchurch, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1399
John Harris (Harrys) (c.1588-1658), an English academic and clergyman, Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford, long-time Warden of Winchester College, and a member of the Westminster Assembly

Harry Ranking

In the United States, the name Harry is the 2,812^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 5 However, in France, the name Harry is ranked the 9,505^th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Harry family to Ireland

Some of the Harry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harry migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Harrys to arrive on North American shores:

Harry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Harry, aged 32, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 7
James Harry, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 7
Joseph Harry, who landed in Virginia in 1654 7
Edward Harry, who arrived in America in 1654-1679 7
Walter Harry, who landed in America in 1654-1679 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Elizabeth Harry, who landed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1710 7
Martin Harry, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 7
William Harry, who arrived in America in 1765 7

Harry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Worlf Harry, aged 8, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1832 7
Sofhairs Harry, aged 34, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1832 7
Isaac Harry, aged 10, who landed in Mobile, Alm in 1832 7
Mr. James Harry, (b. 1795), aged 47, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in the United States on 19 May 1842 8
Miss Mary Ann Harry, (b. 1831), aged 11, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in the United States on 19 May 1842 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Harry, (b. 1852), aged 48, Cornish miner from Marazion, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th July 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 9

Harry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Harry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Harry migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Harry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Isaiah Harry, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorgan, Glamorganshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. William Harry, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorgan, Glamorganshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Edmund Harry, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Charles Kerr" on 6th June 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Harry, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Charles Kerr" on 6th June 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Joseph Harry, (b. 1824), aged 25, Cornish farm labourer from St, Hilary, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "British Empire" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 6th June 1849 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Harry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Harry, (b. 1857), aged 17, Cornish labourer departing on 22nd May 1874 aboard the ship "St Lawrence" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 29th August 1874 14
Mr. John S. Harry, (b. 1853), aged 21, Cornish smith departing on 22nd May 1874 aboard the ship "St Lawrence" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 29th August 1874 14
Miss C. J. Harry, (b. 1859), aged 19, Cornish general servant departing on 7th September 1878 aboard the ship "Opawa" going to Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand arriving in port on 7th December 1878 15
Miss Lavinia Harry, (b. 1840), aged 38, Cornish cook departing on 29th August 1878 aboard the ship "Waitara" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 3rd December 1878 15
C.J. Harry, (b. 1859), aged 19, Cornish general servant departing on 7th September 1878 aboard the ship "Opawa" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 7th December 1878 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Harry (post 1700) +

Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry (b. 1945), born Angela Tremble, an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the lead singer of the rock band Blondie
Willis G. Harry, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Georgetown, 1919-22 16
Walter Harry, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives 54th District, 1978 16
Steve Harry, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Oklahoma State Senate 40th District, 2002 16
John B. Harry, American politician, Member of North Carolina State Senate from Lincoln County, 1835 16
Floyd Harry, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 4th District, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1946 16
David Garfield Harry (b. 1880), American Republican politician, Insurance executive; Member of Maryland State Senate, 1924-47; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 1940; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Maryland 2nd District, 1946 16
Simon B. Harry (1965-2022), Nigerian statistician, born in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state, Statistician General, National Bureau of Statistics Federal Republic of Nigeria (2021-2022)
Brian Harry Freemantle (1936-2024), English thriller and non-fiction writer, best known for his 1977 spy novel Charlie Muffin
David Harry Searle CM, QC (1936-2021), Canadian politician and lawyer from the Northwest Territories

Historic Events for the Harry family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. John H S Harry, British Leading Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 17
Mr. ErneSt David Harry (1921-1942), English Marine from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 17

HMS Repulse

Mr. Leonard K Harry, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18
Mr. Alfred J Harry, British Seaman Able Bodied, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18

The Harry Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ubique patriam reminisci
Motto Translation: Everywhere to remember one's country.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 1st February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charles-kerr
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html