Harrison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the name Harrison are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the personal name Henry. The personal name Henry arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings, killing King Harold, the last Saxon King of England. It is of Germanic origin, and arrived with the wave of immigration that followed King William into England from continental Europe. The surname Harrison is derived from a diminutive form of the name, Harry. The name means "the son of Henry."

One source has an interesting note: "This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Harry,' this being the English attempt at pronouncing the French Henri. Thus Harry is not a nickname, of Henry, but the English representative form. Hence our endless Harrisons, not Henrysons." 1

Early Origins of the Harrison family

The surname Harrison was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Harrison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harrison research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1583, 1590, 1606, 1621, 1640, 1655, 1656, 1660, 1669, 1685, 1713, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Harrison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harrison Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Harrison has been spelled many different ways, including Harrison, Harryson, Harieson and others.

Early Notables of the Harrison family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir John Harrison (c. 1590-1669), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1640 and 1669, supporter of the Royalist side in the English Civil War
John Harrison (1579-1656), a prominent inhabitant of Leeds in Yorkshire, England, in the 16th and 17th century, variously as one of the early woollen cloth merchants, and as a benefactor of the town
Sir Richard Harrison (1583-1655), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1621 and 1640, supported the Royalist side in the English Civil War
Major-General Thomas Harrison (1606-1660), an English soldier who sided with Parliament in the English Civil War, found guilty of regicide

Harrison World Ranking

In the United States, the name Harrison is the 115^th most popular surname with an estimated 189,012 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Harrison is ranked the 154^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,265 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Harrison is the 74^th popular surname with an estimated 31,663 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Harrison as 87^th with 4,323 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Harrison as 37^th with 93,284 people. 6

Migration of the Harrison family to Ireland

Some of the Harrison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Harrison migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Harrisons to arrive in North America:

Harrison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Harmon Harrison, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1607 7
Rafe Harrison, who settled in Virginia in 1623
Ann Harrison, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 7
George Harrison, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 7
Benjamin Harrison, who arrived in Virginia in 1631 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Coll Harrison, who landed in Virginia in 1700 7
Anne Harrison, who arrived in New England in 1718 7
Andrew Harrison, who landed in Virginia in 1719 7
Ellinor Harrison, who landed in Virginia in 1719 7
Elir Harrison, who landed in Carolina in 1724 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Harrison, who landed in New York, NY in 1832 7
David Harrison, who landed in New York in 1833 7
Henry George Harrison, who arrived in New York in 1835 7
James Harrison, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 7
Asa J Harrison, who arrived in America in 1849 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Harrison, (b. 1875), aged 30, Cornish miner from Liskeard, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 8
James Herbert Harrison, who arrived in Alabama in 1925 7

Harrison migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Harrison Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Francis Harrison, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Eleanor Harrison, aged 48, who arrived in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774
Mr. William Harrison U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 9
Capt. Charles Harrison U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in the New Jersey Volunteers 2nd Battalion 9
Mr. Christopher Harrison U.E. born in England from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA who settled in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia c. 1784 arriving in American Colonies in 1773 he enlisted in 1776 serving as Conductor of Stores and Wagon Master in the Quarter Master General's Department he died in 1814 in York Mills, Ontario, married to Priscilla Peddle they had 8 children 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Harrison, aged 28, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
Mary Harrison, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
Michael Harrison, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Charlotte" from Cork, Ireland
Ms. Rebecca Harrison, aged 20 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Bridgetown" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle on August 31st, 1847 10
Mr. Daniel Harrison, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Urania" departing 9th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison migration to Australia +

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

Harrison Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Harrison, English convict who was convicted in Buckinghamshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Harrison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Finch Harrison, British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. John Harrison, British Convict who was convicted in Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Richard Harrison, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Roger Harrison, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Harrison, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison 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:

Harrison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Harrison, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 17
Mr. H. Harrison, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 17
Mr. H.S. Harrison, British settler travelling from London, UK with 5 children aboard the ship "Bolton" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 30th April 1840 17
Mrs. Harrison, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bolton" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 30th April 1840 17
A V Harrison, who landed in Taranaki, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship William Bryan
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Harrison 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. 18

Harrison Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Harrison, (b. 1589), aged 45, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Harrison (post 1700) +

George Harrison MBE (1943-2001), English musician, singer, and songwriter, member of the Beatles 1962-1970
President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), American politician, the 23rd President of the United States
Fairfax Harrison (1869-1938), American lawyer and businessman who became a lawyer for the Southern Railway Company in 1896, and by 1906 he was the company's vice-president of finance, President of Southern in 1913
Robert "Bob" Harrison (1941-2022), American football player and coach who played college football at Kent State and later served as a coach for Kent State, Iowa, Cornell, NC State, Tennessee, the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Commandos, Georgia, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston College
Adlene Harrison (1923-2022), American politician who served on the Dallas City Council from 1973 to 1977, and was acting mayor of Dallas in 1976
Mary Dimmick Harrison (1858-1948), American second wife of the 23rd United States president Benjamin Harrison
Nicholas Arthur "Nick" Harrison (1982-2019), American stock car racing crew chief
Martez Harrison (b. 1993), American basketball player for the Glasgow Rocks of the British Basketball League
Charles "Chuck" Harrison (1931-2018), American industrial designer, the first African-American executive to work at Sears, Roebuck and Company
Richard Benjamin Harrison Jr. (1941-2018), nicknamed The Old Man and The Appraiser, American businessman and reality television personality featured on the History channel series Pawn Stars
... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Harrison family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss Muriel Florence Rose Harrison (1901-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Campbells Bay, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 19
Miss Annie Harrison (1929-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 19

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Frank Harrison, British Bedroom Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Francis Harrison (d. 1914), British Grill Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Mr. Hugh Harrison (d. 1914), Irish Third Class Passenger from Belfast, Ireland who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21

Flight 191

Mrs. W Harrison (d. 1979), American passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 22

Hillsborough disaster

Stephen Francis Harrison (1958-1989), English driver who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 23
Peter Andrew Harrison (1973-1989), English schoolboy who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 23
Gary Harrison (1962-1989), English driver who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 23

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Leslie Alexander Harrison (1904-1941), Australian Petty Officer Steward from Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24

HMS Dorsetshire

James Henry Harrison (d. 1945), British Chief Stoker aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Ronald Harrison, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Ralph Harrison (b. 1925), Welsh Boy Seaman from Wales, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Ralph Arthur George Harrison, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Leonard H Harrison, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. Frank Harrison, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. Henry A Harrison, British Shipwright 2nd Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Samuel Kane Harrison (b. 1921), Irish Able Bodied Seaman from Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Gilbert S. Harrison, British Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28

Mount Mulligan Mine

Henry Harrison, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

North Sea Flood

Kenneth B. Harrison, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

RMS Lusitania

Mr. George Wraith Harrison, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Fernie, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29
Mr. James Harrison, English 2nd Class passenger residing in New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 29
Mr. Herbert Kesteven Harrison, English 2nd Class passenger residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 29

RMS Titanic

Mr. Aragon D. Harrison, aged 40, English Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 9 30
Mr. Norman E. Harrison (d. 1912), aged 38, English Assistant Second Engineer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 30
Mr. William Henry Harrison (d. 1912), aged 45, English First Class passenger from Wallasey, Merseyside who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 30

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. George Thomas Harrison (b. 1868), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Reginald Harrison (b. 1895), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

Victoria steamboat disaster

Harry Harrison, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Harrison 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: Vincit qui patitur
Motto Translation: He conquers who endures.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 32)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 79)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
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
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html