Harris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The family name Harris dates back to the beginnings of the Norman culture in Britain - the Norman Conquest of 1066. Originally, Harris was a name given to a person who was the son of the ruler of the property upon which he lived. Initially, le Herisse, the name came to England with the Norman Conquest, and is of Old French derivation. Another derivation, which is probably more common shows that the name is a version of the Old English given name Harry. 1 Although both derivations are valid time has confused them and historians now disagree on which is appropriate in a given situation.

Early Origins of the Harris family

The surname Harris was first found in Normandy, where Hericius and his brothers were in 1022 prohibited by King Robert of France from making inroads of on the estates of a neighbouring abbey. "Henricus was father of Ancelin de Beaumont who in 1086 held a barony in Nottinghamshire. Ivo Fitz-Herice or De Heriz, his son was Viscount of Nottinghamshire before 1130." 2

His sons quickly spread through Britain as seen by Robert Fitz-Herice who was mentioned in a charter of Barberie Abbey, executed by Henry II; Josceline Fitz-Herice mentioned in Huntingdonshire in 1156; and William who held two fees in Nottinghamshire and four in Lincolnshire in 1165. Humphrey Hairez was listed in Berkshire in 1158.

William Herez held an estate in Wiltshire in the 13th century and later one of his descendants held estates in Salisbury in 1469 and was ancestor of the Earls of Malmsbury who also have three herrisons on their arms. 2

"Harris and Heris are armorially identified, each bearing three herissons (hedgehogs) in allusion to the name." 2

"Wootton Hall [in Wooton, Northamptonshire], the seat of W. Harris, Esq., stands elevated, and commands extensive prospects: the grounds are surrounded with thriving plantations." 3

"Radford, in Plymstock, [Devon] has been a seat of the Harris family for nearly 500 years. Here Ralegh is said to have been kept in ward on his return in 1618, and here at times Drake stored much of his treasure. " 4

Early History of the Harris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harris research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1399, 1483, 1581, 1588, 1596, 1600, 1628, 1631, 1644, 1649, 1650, 1658, 1661, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1680, 1685, 1686, 1719, 1775 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Harris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harris Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Harris were recorded, including Harris, Harries, Harrys, Harryss, Haries, Haris, Hairis and many more.

Early Notables of the Harris family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Harris World Ranking

In the United States, the name Harris is the 15th most popular surname with an estimated 683,925 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Harris is ranked the 74th most popular surname with an estimated 32,407 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Harris is the 66th popular surname with an estimated 403 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Harris as 17th with 53,949 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Harris as 14th with 6,379 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Harris as 24th with 115,915 people. 10 South Africa ranks Harris as 471st with 15,126 people. 11

Migration of the Harris family to Ireland

Some of the Harris family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Harris migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Harris arrived in North America very early:

Harris Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Harris Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Harris Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Harris Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Harris migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harris Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Harris Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Harris migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Harris Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Harris Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Harris migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Harris Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Harris migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
Harris Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Harris (post 1700) +


The Harris Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ubique patriam reminisci
Motto Translation: Everywhere to remember one's country.


Suggested Readings for the name Harris +
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