Show ContentsHarle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Harle family

The surname Harle was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute.

The name in Anglo Saxon, signifies "The love of the army," From Har, an army, and hold, love. 1 Hence the name is often referred to as "powerful warrior." 2

Further to the south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Agnes Harald, Oxfordshire; John Harald, Wiltshire; Reginald Haralt, Oxfordshire; and Roger Harold, Buckinghamshire. 3

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Robertus Harald; and Stephen Harald as holding lands there at that time. 3

Early History of the Harle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harle research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1566, 1626, 1685, 1799, 1825, 1834, 1851, 1881, 1883 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Harle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Harold, Harald, Harrell, Hirrell, Hurrell and others.

Early Notables of the Harle family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Francis Harold, O.F.M. (died 1685), an Irish Franciscan and historical writer. He was a native of Limerick, and member of the Franciscan order, to which his uncle, Luke Wadding, was the historiographer. Harold...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Harle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harle Ranking

In France, the name Harle is the 5,028th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Harle family to Ireland

Some of the Harle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Harle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Harle, who landed in Maryland in 1673 5
  • John Harle, who arrived in Virginia in 1696 5
Harle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Heinrich Harle, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782 5
Harle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • August Harle, aged 4, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 5
  • Catharina Harle, aged 15, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 5
  • Gotlieb Harle, aged 9, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 5
  • Louisa Harle, aged 16, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 5
  • Rosena Harle, aged 46, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 5

Harle migration to Australia +

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

Harle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Harle, English convict who was convicted in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 11th February 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6

Harle 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:

Harle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Esther Harle, (b. 1861), aged 2 months, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 7
  • Mr. Thomas Harle, (b. 1818), aged 43, British farm labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 7
  • Mrs. Ann Harle, (b. 1819), aged 42, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 7
  • Mr. Thomas Harle, (b. 1838), aged 23, British farm labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 7
  • Miss Ann Harle, (b. 1848), aged 13, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Harle (post 1700) +

  • James L. Harle, American politician, Mayor of Corsicana, Texas, 1875-77 8
  • Graham Lisle Harle (1931-2022), British-born Canadian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (1972-1986), Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (1975-1979), Solicitor General (1979-1983)

HMS Royal Oak
  • George Harle (d. 1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 9


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  9. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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