Harte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Harte name:

Harte Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Henry Harte, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 5
• Thomas Harte, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 5
• Ann Harte, who landed in Virginia in 1661 5
• Jane Harte, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 5
• John Harte, who arrived in Maryland in 1669 5

Harte Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Fredrich Harte, aged 26, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 5

Harte Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles Harte, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1807 5
• Charles J Harte, aged 27, who landed in Missouri in 1838 5
• Fr Conr Harte, who arrived in America in 1845 5
• Joh Fr Conr Harte, who landed in America in 1847 5
• James Harte, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1869 5

Harte Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• William Henry Harte, who arrived in Arkansas in 1902 5

Harte Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• John Harte, aged 41, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Coromandel" 6
• Mary Harte, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lady Macdonald" 7

Harte Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mary Harte, aged 18, who arrived in St Christopher in 1634 5

• Robert Harte (1998-2009), American actor
• Bret Harte (1836-1902), born Francis Brett Hart, an American author and poet, best remembered for his short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush
• Bill Harte (b. 1971), US soccer player
• Robert Sheldon Harte (1915-1940), American communist, assistant to Trotsky
• Betty Harte (1882-1965), American actress in silent film era
• Francis Bret Harte (1836-1902), American author and poet, best remembered for his accounts of pioneering life in California. In 1987 he appeared on a $5 U.S. Postage stamp, as part of the "Great Americans" Series of issues
• Frank Harte (1933-2005), traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer, born in Chapelizod, County Dublin
• Ian Patrick Harte (b. 1977), Irish football agent and former professional footballer who played as a left back or midfielder
• Paddy Harte (1931-2018), Irish Fine Gael politician, Teachta Dála (TD) for Donegal North-East for 36 years, Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (1981-1982)
• John "Jack" Harte (1920-2015), Irish Labour Party Senator
• ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)