Harris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Harris dates back to the beginnings of the Norman culture in Britain – the Norman Conquest of 1066. Originally, Harris was a name given to a person who was the son of the ruler of the property upon which he lived. Initially, le Herisse, the name came to Englandwith 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 Harris family

The surname Harris 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 Nottinghamshirebefore 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 Harris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harris research.

Harris Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Harris were recorded, including Harris, Harries, Harrys, Harryss, Haries, Haris, Hairis and many more.

Early Notables of the Harris family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John ap Harry of Poston in Vowchurch, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1399; Robert Harris (1581-1658), an English clergyman, known as a Puritan preacher, member of the Westminster Assembly, and President of Trinity College, Oxford; 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; Peter Harris (the elder) (died 1680), a British buccaneer, one of the captains.

Harris World Ranking

In the United States, the name Harris is the 15^th most popular surname with an estimated 683,925 people with that name. [5] However, in Canada, the name Harris is ranked the 74^thmost popular surname with an estimated 32,407 people with that name. [6] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Harris is the 66^th popular surname with an estimated 403 people with that name. [7] Australia ranks Harris as 17^th with 53,949 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Harris as 14^th with 6,379 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Harris as 24^th with 115,915 people. [10] South Africa ranks Harris as 471^st with 15,126 people. [11]

 Migration of the Harris family to Ireland

Some of the Harris family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Harris migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Harris arrived in North America very early: 

Harris Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mrs. Adria Harris, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “Marmaduke” [12]
• Thomas Harris, aged 38, who arrived in Virginia prior to 1621 aboard the ship “Prosperous”
• Ellnor Harris, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “Providence” [13]
• Alice Harris, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [12]
• Lieutenant Harris, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [12]