Show ContentsHarken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Harken is an ancient Viking-Scottish name derived from Henry. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the diminutive Harry; it is a double diminutive of Harry in the form Har-kin.

Early Origins of the Harken family

The surname Harken was first found in Norfolk, where Edwinus and Roger filius Hardekin was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1175. Years later, John Hardekyn, Herkyn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 1

Henry Harkeley (fl. 1316), was Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1313 to 1316 and Doctor of Divinity; he taught at Oxford in the early part of the fourteenth century. 2

Early History of the Harken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harken research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early Harken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harken Spelling Variations

Scottish names from the Middle Ages vary enormously in their spellings. This is a result of the fact that there were no universal standards like dictionaries for scribes to judge by. The recorded spelling variations of the name Harken include Harkin, Harken, Harkins, Hacon, Hakon, Haken and many more.

Early Notables of the Harken family

More information is included under the topic Early Harken Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Harken family to Ireland

Some of the Harken family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Harken migration to the United States +

Settlers found farms all along the eastern part of what would become the United States and Canada. They provided a base and a backbone that would strengthen two great nations in the making. In the 20th century, the ancestors of those brave Scots have rediscovered their heritage through highland games and Scottish historical societies. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Scottish name Harken or a variant listed above, including:

Harken Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edmund Harken, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 3
Harken Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Harken, aged 26, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 3
  • Meta Harken, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 3

Canada Harken migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harken Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • George Harken, who arrived in Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1820
  • Henry Harken, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Bartley" in 1833
  • Charles Harken, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Bartley" in 1833

Australia Harken migration to Australia +

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

Harken Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Harken, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Prince Regent" 4
  • Elizabeth Harken, aged 19, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1851 4
  • Anne Harken, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Clara"
  • Margaret Harken, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Clara"


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. 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)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE REGENT 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851PrinceRegent.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook