Show ContentsHarre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Harre family

The surname Harre was first found in Prussia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.

Early History of the Harre family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harre research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1787 is included under the topic Early Harre History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harre Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Herr, Her, Here and others.

Early Notables of the Harre family

More information is included under the topic Early Harre Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Harre 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:

Harre Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Harre, (b. 1830), aged 44, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 1
  • Mrs. M. Harre, (b. 1832), aged 42, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 1
  • Mr. Archibald Harre, (b. 1864), aged 10, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 1
  • Miss Jessie Harre, (b. 1866), aged 8, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 1
  • Miss Helen Harre, (b. 1868), aged 6, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Harre (post 1700) +

  • Dr. Alan Harre (b. 1940), American academic, 17th President of Valparaiso University
  • Paula Harre, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1996 2
  • Horace Romano "Rom" Harré (b. 1927), New Zealand distinguished philosopher and psychologist
  • Laila Jane Harré (b. 1966), New Zealand politician and trade unionist


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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