Show ContentsHarpin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Harpin name was originally an Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a person who played the harp deriving its origin from the Old French harpin, a person who played the harp. [1]

Alternatively, the name could have been a patronymic name as in 'the son of Harpin,' probably from Harfinn. [2]

Early Origins of the Harpin family

The surname Harpin was first found in Norfolk, where Thomas Harpyn was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. [2]

William Harepin was a Knights Templar in 1185 and Harpin (with no forename) was listed in Yorkshire in 1231. [1]

Adam Harpin was faulconer to Bishop Swinfield in 1289-90 and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Henricus Harpyn; Magota Harpyn; and Johanna Harpyn. [2]

Early History of the Harpin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harpin research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1289, 1379, 1686 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Harpin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harpin Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Harpin has undergone many spelling variations, including Harpin, Herpin, Harpyn, Arpin, Harpen, Herpen and others.

Early Notables of the Harpin family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harpin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Harpin family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Harpin were among those contributors: Thomas Harpen, who sailed to Maryland in 1661; James Herpin, who went to Alabama in 1858; Jacob Herpin to Illinois in 1860; Henry and Joseph Herpin to Illinois in 1864..


Contemporary Notables of the name Harpin (post 1700) +

  • Mathias Peter Harpin, American author and editor


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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