Show ContentsHarm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished name Harm was derived from the Old English word "hearn," denoting "evil, hurt, injury." 1 Alternatively the name could have been derived from " a trade-sign of an Arm or Arms." 2

Early Origins of the Harm family

The surname Harm was first found in Lincolnshire where Walter Harm was recorded in the Registrum Antiquissimum c. 1150-1156. Years later, we found Richard Harm in the Feet of Fines for Surrey (1234-1235) and in Leicestershire we found William Arm in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 1

Early History of the Harm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harm research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1235, 1327, 1674, 1704, 1759 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Harm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harm Spelling Variations

Harm has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Harm, Harme, Harmes, Harms, Armes, Arms, Arme and many more.

Early Notables of the Harm family

Distinguished members of the family include Eugene Aram (1704-1759), born in 1704, probably in September, at Ramsgill, Netherdale, Yorkshire. "His father was gardener to Sir Edward Blackett, of Newby; and after receiving the...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harm Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Harm migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Harms to arrive on North American shores:

Harm Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Nich Harm, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1773 3
Harm Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Johan Harm, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 3
  • Madeline Harm, aged 1, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 3
  • Carl Harm, aged 4, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 3
  • Marie Harm, aged 31, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 3
  • Tobias Harm, aged 34, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Harm (post 1700) +

  • William Harm, American politician, Mayor of Hastings, Nebraska, 1936-38 4
  • H. J. Harm, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1912 4
  • J. Harm Voss, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1960 5
  • Harm G. Schroeter, Norwegian academic in economic history
  • Harm van Houten (1892-1952), Dutch politician
  • Harm Ottenbros (1943-2022), Dutch road bicycle racer who raced as a professional from 1967 to 1976
  • Harm Osmers (b. 1985), German football referee who is based in Hanover
  • Harm Kuipers (b. 1947), Dutch speed skater
  • Harm Jansen (b. 1967), Dutch cyclist
  • Harm Toren, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Montana State House of Representatives 3rd District, 2010 6


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. 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)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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