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]

Harris Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Alice Harris, who landed in Virginia in 1722 [12]
• Ann Harris, who settled in Maryland in 1737
• Alexander Harris, who landed in America in 1764 [12]
• Edward Harris, who arrived in Kentucky in 1773 [12]

Harris Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Mr. Christopher Harris, (b. 1818), aged 19, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 [14]
• Mr. Thomas Harris, (b. 1814), aged 23, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 [14]
• Mr. James Harris, (b. 1823), aged 17, English miner departing from England aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 [14]
• Miss Mary Harris, (b. 1832), aged 8, English settler departing from England aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 [14]
• Mr. Thomas Harris, (b. 1777), aged 63, Cornish farmer departing from Bristol aboard the ship “Druid” arriving in Ohio, USA on 29 June 1840 [14]

Harris Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. Nicholas Harris, (b. 1861), aged 39, Cornish miner from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Ivernia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 21st May 1900 en route to Colorado, USA [15]
• Mr. James Harris, (b. 1876), aged 24, Cornish miller travelling aboard the ship “St Paul” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th January 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA [15]
• Mr. Harry Harris, (b. 1879), aged 21, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship “St Paul” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 13th May 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA [15]
• Mr. Edwin Harris, (b. 1873), aged 28, Cornish coachman from Redruth, Cornwall, aboard the ship “Etruria” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd June 1901 en route to Colorado, USA [15]
• Mr. Edwin Harris, (b. 1873), aged 28, Cornish coachman from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Etruria” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd June 1901 en route to Colorado, USA [15]

 Harris migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Harris Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mrs. Elizabeth Harris U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswickc. 1783 was a passenger aboard “Cyrus” on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River [16]
• Mr. James Harris U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 [16]
• Mr. John Harris U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard “Cyrus” on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River [16]
• Mr. Massy Harris U.E. from Rhode Island, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 passenger aboard the Union Transport he served in the New Jersey Volunteers [16]
• Mr. Thomas Harris U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard “Cyrus” on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River [16]

Harris Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Alanson Harris, who landed in Canada in 1828
• Mrs. Harris, aged 56, a lady, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig “Sarah” from Bristol, England
• Edward Harris, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque “Pallas” from Cork, Ireland
• Mary Harris, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig “Charity” from Kinsale, Ireland
• Nancy Harris, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Protector” in 1834

 Harris migration to Australia+

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

Harris Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. Edward Harris, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[17]

Harris Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Thomas Harris, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Mr. John Harris, (b. 1783), aged 19, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the “Coromandel” on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]
• Mr. Richard Harris, British Convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Coromandel” on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]
• Miss Rose Harris, Cornish convict who was convicted in Cornwall, England for life, transported aboard the “Experiment” on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]
• Mr. Samuel Harris, British Convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life, transported aboard the “Coromandel” on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]

 Harris 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: 

Harris Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Henry Harris, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship “Brazil Packet” arriving in New Zealand in 1836 [20]
• W Harris, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1839
• Abram Harris, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• Luke Harris, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• R T Harris, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840

 Harris migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [21]

Harris Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Willim Harris, (b. 1599), aged 35, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 [12]
• Mr. William Harris, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Anne and Elizabeth” arriving in Barbados in 1635 [22]
• Mr. William Harris, aged 16 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship “Amity” in 1635
• Mr. Richard Harris, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler traveling aboard the ship “William and John” arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [23]
• Mr. William Harris, aged 20 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship “Amity” in 1635 [24]

Contemporary Notables of the name Harris (post 1700) +

• David Victor Harris (1946-2023), American journalist and activist
• Curtis “CJ” Harris (1991-2023), American singer from Jasper, Alabama, who finished in sixth place on the thirteenth season of American Idol
• Franco Harris (1950-2022), American NFL fullback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks, a key player in one of professional football’s most famous plays, dubbed “The Immaculate Reception” by Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990
• Anne Harris (1964-2022), American science fiction author from Detroit, Michigan
• Estelle Harris (1928-2022), née Nussbaum, an American actress and voice artist, best known for her role as George’s mother Estelle Costanza on Seinfeld and the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise
• George Bernard Harris (1901-1983), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (1970-1983) [25]
• Lusia Harris (1955-2022), American Olympic silver medalist basketball player, one of the pioneers of women’s basketball, the first and only woman ever officially drafted by the National Basketball Association (NBA), a men’s professional basketball league, inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
• Barry Doyle Harris (1929-2021), American jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator, an exponent of the bebop style
• Cynthia Lee Harris (1934-2021), American film, television, and stage actress, best known for her roles in the television series Edward & Mrs. Simpson and the sitcom Mad About You
• Curtis West Harris (1924-2017), American minister, civil rights activist, and politician from Dendron, Virginia

The Harris 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.