Harry Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Harry Origin:

England, Scotland

Origins of Harry:

The surname of Harry itself can be derived from the personal given name of Harry, which was often given as a nickname. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the case of the surname of Harry, the nickname was derived from the Old French name of “Henri,” itself able to be translated to mean “home-rule.”

Variations:

More common variations are: Harrey, Harrhy, Harray, Haerry, Harroy, Hahrry, Harrya, Hearry, Harrye, Harr, Hary, Hawarry, Hurry

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Harry can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of one Nicholas Herri, who was mentioned in the document known as the Subsidy Rolls of the county of Buckinghamshire in the year of 1327. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward II of England, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as one “Edward of Caernarfon.” King Edward II of England ruled from the year of 1307 to the year of 1327. Other mentions of the surname of Harry within the country of England include one William Herry, who served as a witness in the court rolls of the borough of Colchester in the year of 1337, while one William Harrys was recorded as living in the area of Eynsham, Oxfordshire in the year of 1406.

United States of America:

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, it became common for European citizens to migrate to the United States of America. These citizens were displeased with the state of the government from the country of their birth, often coming from tyrannical governments with poor living conditions in their cities. The United States of America, which at that time was commonly referred to as The New World, or The Colonies, offered more freedoms than those who were migrating from the European countries were used to. The United States of America promised the ability to own land, freedom from religious persecution, and the ability to help form a new government. This large movement of people to the United States of America is commonly referred to as the European Migration, or in some cases the Great Migration. Among those who migrate to the United States of America were those who bore the surname of Harry. One person by the name of Richard Harry, who was thirty-two years of age, arrived in the state of Virginia in the year of 1635, making him the first recorded person in the United States of America to bear the surname of Harry. James Harry arrived in Virginia in the year of 1651.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Harry: Nigeria 36,833; United States 11,161; Pakistan 4,023; Papua New Guinea 3,985; England 3,431; Bangladesh 3,094; South Africa 2,557; Ghana 2,077; Uganda 2,054; Vietnam 1,987; Malaysia 1,922; India 1,816

Notable People:

Deborah Ann “Debbie” Harry (born in 1945) who was born with the name of Angela Tremble, and who was a singer-songwriter and actress from America, and who is most notably recognized as the lead singer of the rock band Blondie.

Willis G. Harry, who served as the U.S. Vice Consul in Georgetown from the year of 1919 to the year of 1922, and who was a politician from America.

Walter Harry, who served as as Candidate in the primary for the Michigan State House of Representatives in the 54th District in the year of 1978, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Steve Harry, who served as a Candidate for the Oklahoma State Senate in the 40th District in the year of 2002, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

John B. Harry, who served as a Member of the North Carolina State Senate from Lincoln County in the year of 1835, and who was a politician from America.

Floyd Harry, who served as a Candidate for the U.S. Representative from Texas in the 4th District in the year of 1928, in the year of 1930, in the year 1932, and in the year of 1946, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Or, a chevron sable, between three ravens proper
2) (Poston, co. Hereford). (alias Henry). Ar. a fesse betw. three lozenges az. a bordure of the last. Crest—An angel’s head couped below the breast ppr., wings expanded, vested az.
3) Ap-Harry, or Parry Ar. a fesse betw. three lozenges a bordure az.
4) Fitz-Henry, or Fitz-Harry Ar. on a cross engr. sa. an annulet or.