Harper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Harper

What does the name Harper mean?

Harper comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a person who occupies the role of "harper". In ancient times the harper was considered an important figurehead whereby Brehon laws stated that the elegance and music of the harp "deserved" a noble status. "In some districts lands were attached to the office as shown by the place names Croit a' Chlarsair, 'the Harper's Croft,' in the parish of Kiltarlity, near Dundonald, Ayrshire, and elsewhere, and the lands of Harperfield in the parish of Lesmahagow are probably of the same origin. " 1

Early Origins of the Harper family

The surname Harper was first found in Lennox, Scotland. Several individuals named Harper appear in the Ragman Roll as having rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England: "William le Harpur of La Lawe, of the county of Edinburgh; Uctins le Harpur of the county of Lanerk, a tenant of William of Moravia; Robert le Harper of the county of Are; Johan le Harpur of the county of Berewyk, and Rogier le Harpur of Hom', also of the county of Berewyk, ere the others named in the record." 1

Farther south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Henry le Harpur, Cambridgeshire; Ralph le Harpur, Oxfordshire; and Nicholas le Harpur, Cambridgeshire. 2

In Somerset, Adam le Harper and Thomas le Harpour were both recorded there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Willelmus Harper; and Rogerus Harper. 2

Early History of the Harper family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harper research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1496, 1566, 1574, 1579, 1585, 1603, 1616, 1638, 1639, 1645, 1669, 1679, 1680, 1681, 1700, 1741 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Harper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harper Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Harper include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Harper, Harpur, Harpar, Harepur and others.

Early Notables of the Harper family

Henry Harper, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1496

Harper World Ranking

the United States, the name Harper is the 185^th most popular surname with an estimated 134,298 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Harper is ranked the 429^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,976 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Harper is the 293^rd popular surname with an estimated 12,061 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Harper as 221^st with 2,580 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Harper as 190^th with 29,507 people. 8

Migration of the Harper family to Ireland

Some of the Harper family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harper migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Harper family emigrate to North America:

John Harper who was a resident of Virginia in 1607 and 1608

Harper Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Harper, who settled in Virginia in 1642
Patrick Harper, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 10
Symon Harper, who landed in Virginia in 1654 10
Francis Harper, who landed in Virginia in 1654 10
Rob Harper, who landed in Virginia in 1655 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harper Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Harper, who landed in Virginia in 1703 10
Cha Harper, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 10
Anthony Harper, was a servant of Oderin, about 1730
Simon Peter Harper, who landed in Georgia in 1738 10
Jacob Harper, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harper Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Harper, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County Pennsylvania in 1802 10
Mary Harper, who landed in America in 1805 10
Robert Harper, who arrived in America in 1805 10
Jane Harper, who landed in America in 1805 10
James Harper, who arrived in America in 1805 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harper Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas John Harper, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Silver Cliff, Colorado, USA 11
Adele Gordon Harper, who landed in Alabama in 1929 10

Harper migration to Canada +

Harper Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Eliz Harper, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Harper, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Samuel Harper, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Harper, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Christopher Harper, aged 40, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harper Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Nichol Harper, aged 34, Scottish settler who arrived in Canada in 1811
Michael Harper, aged 29, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Levant Star" from Cork, Ireland
Patrick Harper, who settled in Harbour Grace Parish, Newfoundland in 1840

Harper migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Ann Harper, (1772- 1842), aged 16, British settler convicted in Bristol, Somerset, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9

Second Fleet

Miss Ann Harper, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. William Harper, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Third Fleet

Mr. Joshua Harper, (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 10th September 1783, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Harper Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr.William Harper, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. John Harper, British Convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Harper, (b. 1760), aged 56, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for forgery, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1818 14
Mr. Moses Harper, British Convict who was convicted in Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Harper, (b. 1805), aged 16, English shoe maker who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harper 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:

Harper Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Titcomb Harper, aged 38, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 17
Sarah Harper, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 17
Lebulan Harper, aged 12, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 17
Mr. Harper, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1843 18
Mrs. Harper, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1843 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Harper (post 1700) +

Valerie Harper (1940-2019), American Primetime Emmy Award winking actress, best known for her co-starring role in the Mary Tyler Show
Raymond Harper (1996-2025), known professionally as Rolling Ray, American influencer and media personality, first found popularity on Instagram and was known for his catchphrases "it's giving" and "purrr"
Sara J. Harper (1926-2025), American jurist, lawyer and member of Ohio's Eighth District Court of Appeals
Aaron Harper (1981-2023), American professional basketball player, a graduate of the Ole Miss basketball program
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911), American abolitionist, suffragist, poet, temperance activist, teacher, public speaker, and writer, one of the first African-American women to be published in the United States
Billy Harper (b. 1943), American jazz saxophonist, born in Houston, Texas, "one of a generation of Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists"
Thelma Harper (1940-2021), American politician and the first African-American woman state senator in Tennessee
Donald de Wayne "Don" Harper (1932-2017), American gold medalist diver at the 1955 Pan American Games, Olympic silver medalist at the 1956 Summer Games
C. Michael Harper (1927-2016), American businessman, CEO of ConAgra Foods from 1975 to 1993
... (Another 155 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Harper family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Walter J Harper, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19
Mr. Arthur Molyneaux Harper, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales May 1941 and died at the battle of Denmark Strait, before the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales 20
Richard Ross James Harper (1919-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
Mr. John Henry Harper, English 1st Class Passenger from Redditch, Worcestershire, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
The Reverend John John Harper (d. 1912), aged 39, English Second Class passenger from London, England who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22
... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Harper 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: Et suavis et fortis
Motto Translation: Pleasant and brave.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html