Show ContentsHarten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

As a surname, Harten is thought to be derived from the place named Harden in West Yorkshire. The place name in turn is derived from the Old English words "hara," or "hare," and "denu," or "valley." [1]

Early Origins of the Harten family

The surname Harten was first found in Roxburghshire where one of the first records of the name was "John de Hardene of the county of Roxburghe rendered homage [to King Edward I] in 1296." [2] In Scotland, the family claim Harden in Roxburghshire as their ancient homestead. Other early record list Ricaraus de Harden as selling a horse in 1312 and William of Harden was "custumar" of Dundee in 1359. [2]

Harden is a hamlet, in the parish of Bingley, union of Keighley, Upper division of the wapentake of Skyrack, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. [3]

One of the first records of the family was of Ricardus de Hareden who was listed in Wiltshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The "Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III" listed Henry de Hardene in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of Edward I's reign) and William de Hardene in Sussex.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings of the family: Willelmus de Hardeyn; and Adam de Hardeyn. [4]

Early History of the Harten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harten research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1512 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Harten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harten Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Harten occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Harden, Hardene, Hardin, Hardon and others.

Early Notables of the Harten family

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

Ireland Migration of the Harten family to Ireland

Some of the Harten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Harten migration to the United States +

Gradually 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 illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Harten, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Harten Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Maria Harten, aged 39, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 [5]
  • Elizabeth Harten, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1742 [5]
  • George Harten, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1742 [5]
Harten Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Harten, aged 19, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 [5]
  • Diedr V Harten, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 [5]
Harten Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • James Harten, aged 27, who settled in America from Dublin, in 1906
  • Bridget Harten, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Cavan, Ireland, in 1906
  • George Howard Harten, aged 36, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Lizzie Harten, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Longford Ireland, in 1913
  • Maggie Harten, aged 16, who landed in America from Kilcogy, Ireland, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Harten (post 1700) +

  • Amiram Harten (1947-1994), Israeli-born, American applied mathematician


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. 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)


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