First found in Norfolk, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Those who made the voyage were greeted with ample opportunity to acquire land and a political climate far away from the oppressive monarchy of the old country. They settled along the east coast of what would become Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence, those who remained loyal to England traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, many Scots living in North America have begun to recover their rich heritage through festivals, highland games, and clan societies. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Harkins: Daniel, James, John, Patrick, William Harkin arrived in Philadelphia from about 1800 to 1870; Andrew, Daniel, Edward, James, John, Patrick and William Harkins arrived in Philadelphia between 1830 and 1870..

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