Harkley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Harkley 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 Harkley family

The surname Harkley 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 Harkley family

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

Harkley 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 Harkley include Harkin, Harken, Harkins, Hacon, Hakon, Haken and many more.

Early Notables of the Harkley family

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

Migration of the Harkley family to Ireland

Some of the Harkley 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.

Migration of the Harkley family

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 Harkley or a variant listed above, including: 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..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print