Harnet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many destitute Irish families in the 18th and 19th centuries decided to leave their homeland, which had in many ways been scarred by English colonial rule. One of the most frequent destinations for these families was North America where it was possible for an Irish family to own their own parcel of land. Many of the early settlers did find land awaiting them in British North America, or even later in America, but for the majority of immigrants that arrived as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the ownership of land was often a long way off. These Irish people were initially put to work on such industrial projects as the building of bridges, canals, and railroads, or they worked at manufacturing positions within factories. Whenever they arrived, the Irish made enormous contributions to the infant nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the earliest immigrants to bearer the name of Harnet were found through extensive research of immigration and passenger lists:

Harnet Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Edward Harnet, who arrived in America in 1637
• Edward Harnet, who landed in New England in 1637 2
• Edward Harnet, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1640

Harnet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James, Ann, John, Patrick and William Harnet all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harnet Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• William Harnet, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1817
• James Harnet was a fisherman in Exploits, Newfoundland in 1821 3
• William Harnet, who settled in Bonavista in 1832
• John and Maurice Harnet, who settled in Lord's Cove, Newfoundand in 1871

Harnet Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Margaret Harnet, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Sea Park"