Harkupp is a name that first reached
England following the
Norman Conquest of 1066. The Harkupp family lived in
Oxfordshire. Their name, however, refers not to this location, but to the family's place of residence prior to the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066: one of two towns,
Harcourt, in Calvados,
Normandy, or
Harcourt in Eure, Normandy.
Early Origins of the Harkupp family
The surname Harkupp was first found in
Oxfordshire. Errand de Harcourt who claimed descent from Bernard the Dane, who was granted the Lordship of Harcourt from Rollo of
Normandy in 876 commanded the Archers of Vel de Ruel in the Conqueror's army. Rather than staying with his fellow countrymen in the newly conquered country, he returned to
Normandy shortly after William's coronation. His younger Robert who had also accompanied him on the Conquest remained. Robert's son, William de Harcourt, a strong supporter of Henry I., commanded the troops that defeated the Earl of Mellentin in 1123. In return for his noble efforts, he received many more lands in
England.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print. This was the beginning of one of the most noble families in
England that would quickly rise to the status of the House of Harcourt from which Simon, Lord Harcourt would become Lord Chancellor
temp. Queen Anne. Over in the parish of Wyrardisbury in
Buckinghamshire, a more recent member of the family holds a piece of history. "Within its limits is Magna Charta island, a small islet in the Thames, on which King John, at the instance of the barons, is said by some to have signed the celebrated charter of English liberty; it is the property of G. Simon Harcourt, Esq., of Ankerwycke House, in the parish."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Harkupp family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harkupp research.
Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1714 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Harkupp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Harkupp Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few
hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Harkupp are characterized by many
spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Harkupp include Harcourt, Harcutt, Harker, Harkett and others.
Early Notables of the Harkupp family (pre 1700)
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harkupp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Harkupp family to the New World and Oceana
Faced with the chaos present in
England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as
Australia and
Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from
England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Harkupp, or a variant listed above: John Harcourt, who arrived in Jamaica in 1684; Edward Harcourt, who arrived in Texas in 1836; and Mary Harcourt, who settled in New
England in 1773.
The Harkupp 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: Le bon temps viendra
Motto Translation: The prosperous time will come.