| ![Show Contents]() Harkess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Early Origins of the Harkess familyThe surname Harkess was first found in Berwickshire where they held a family seat in the lands of Hardcarse in the parish of Fogo in that shire. The first on record was Adam Harcarse who was Abbott of Newbattle Abbey, and later in 1219 became Abbott of Melrose Abbey. Early History of the Harkess familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harkess research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1254, 1296, 1306, 1325 and 1539 are included under the topic Early Harkess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Harkess Spelling VariationsAlthough the name, Harkess, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Harecars, Harecarse, Harcars, Harcarse, Harkess, Harcors, Harcorse, Harcourse, Harkars, Harcus, Harkass, Harcas, Harkes, Harks, Harcase, Arcas, Arcus and many more. Early Notables of the Harkess familyMore information is included under the topic Early Harkess Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Harkess familyGradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Harkess family name Harkess, or who bore a variation of the surname were William John Harkars who landed in North America in 1725.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Harkess (post 1700) | + |
- Nancy Harkess, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nevada, 2000 1
| Historic Events for the Harkess family | + |
- Mr. Robert W Harkess (b. 1918), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Horden, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 2
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