| ![Show Contents]() Harsin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancient name of Harsin finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from a name for a guardian of cattle or sheep. The surname Harsin is derived from the Old English word hierde, which means herd, and the patronymic suffix -son. Thus, the name Harsin literally means "son of the herdsman." 1 Early Origins of the Harsin familyThe surname Harsin was first found in Lancashire, on the west coast near Lythom-St. Annes, where they were associated with Furness Abbey. They were a prominent family here from very early times. In Essex, Robert Herdesman was listed at Colchester in 1367. 2 Early History of the Harsin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harsin research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1621, 1649, 1651, 1660 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Harsin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Harsin Spelling VariationsSound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Harsin family name include Herdson, Hirdson, Heardson, Hurdson, Herson and others. Early Notables of the Harsin familyDistinguished members of the family include Henry Herdson (fl. 1651), English writer on mnemonics, probably received part of his education at Cambridge, as he terms that university his 'dearest mother.' He styled himself professor of the art of memory by public authority in the University of Cambridge. Afterwards he taught his art in London at the...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harsin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Harsin familyFor political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Harsin surname or a spelling variation of the name include : Sarah Herson, who sailed to New York in 1820.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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