Last Name Harris

The surname Harris is of Old Norse origin. It is derived from the personal name Haraldr or Harri, which means army ruler. This name was brought to England by Viking invaders during the medieval period. Over time, it became a common English and Scottish surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Harris

The meaning and origin of the last name Harris

The surname Harris originates from Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon roots, with multiple possibilities for its origins depending on specific regions. In some cases, it's derived from the Old Norse personal name "Haraldr," meaning army ruler or leader of the host. In other instances, it stems from the Anglo-Saxon "Hreosric," meaning ruler of the grove or forest, consisting of the elements "hreos" (grove) and "ric" (ruler or power). The Norman conquest brought the name to England, where variations like Heriz, Hareys, and Haris were common. Over time, these evolved into the modern spelling of Harris. It is a relatively common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, and is often associated with individuals of Celtic or Scandinavian descent.

Geographical distribution of the last name Harris

The surname Harris is widely distributed across various regions globally, with significant concentrations in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., it ranks among the top 20 most common last names. In England, Wales, and Scotland, it also appears frequently due to its historical roots in these countries. Harris is also prevalent in Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, reflecting the migration patterns of people from the British Isles. Other parts of the world with notable populations of individuals bearing the last name Harris include South Africa, Jamaica, and Bermuda, demonstrating its spread through colonization and the Atlantic slave trade. In summary, the geographical distribution of the surname Harris is broadly representative of historical migration patterns from British origins, as well as subsequent dispersion across the globe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Harris

The surname Harris is commonly found across various English-speaking countries. It originates from the Norman surname "Hari(s)e" or "Harisc", which was derived from the Old English personal names "Hare" and "Hræsa". Over time, the name has undergone several variations due to phonetic changes, regional dialects, and transcription errors.

Some common spelling variations of Harris include: Haris, Harees, Haerys, Hares, Haries, Harrise, Hariss, Harys, Hargis, Harig, Harries, Harisson, Harrison, Harrington, Harrow, and Horras. Additionally, there may be regional variations such as MacHarrie (Scotland), O'Hare (Ireland), and Harri (Wales). These alternative spellings can sometimes provide interesting insights into a family's history or migration patterns.

Famous people with the last name Harris

Notable individuals with the surname Harris include:

* Benjamin Harris (1737-1807), an American merchant and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Rhode Island, and later as the first U.S. Representative for that state.
* Dolley Madison (1768-1849), the wife of President James Madison, was born as Dolley Payne Todd and took her second husband's surname upon marriage to John Todd in 1790. After his death, she married Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State, James Madison, in 1794, and became known for her hospitality at the White House.
* Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864), an American composer and lyricist best known for writing "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "My Old Kentucky Home."
* Louis Harris (1929-2013), a prominent American political pollster and researcher. He founded Louis Harris & Associates in 1962, which later became Harris Interactive.
* Morgan Freeman (born 1937), an American actor who has won two Academy Awards, for his performances in "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Million Dollar Baby." He is known for his deep, distinctive voice, and has voiced God in various films.
* Samuel L. Jackson (born 1948), an American actor who has appeared in over 150 films. He is known for his frequent collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, including "Pulp Fiction," "Django Unchained," and "The Hateful Eight."
* Emma Watson (born 1990), a British actress who gained fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. Since then, she has become a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate for gender equality.

Genealogical research on the last name Harris

The surname Harris originated from Old Norse personal names such as Harbjorn and Harekr, which were brought to England by Viking invaders. The name became common among the Anglo-Saxon population and eventually evolved into Harris. The earliest recorded instance of the name in England dates back to the 11th century, with William filius Hereiz being mentioned in the Domesday Book. Harris is a widely distributed surname in English-speaking countries due to its Norse origins and subsequent Norman influence. Notable individuals bearing the name include Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, and Mary Harris Jones, also known as Mother Jones, an American labor leader. The name Harris is currently ranked among the top 100 most common surnames in several English-speaking countries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Harris"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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