Surname Harries - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Harries: What does the surname Harries mean?
The surname Harries is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. It originates from the personal name Harry, which itself is a Middle English version of the name Henry. The suffix "-es" denotes "son of," thus Harries signifies "son of Harry." Its roots can be traced back to the medieval period in England, but it is now found throughout the English-speaking world. Henry - or Harry - means "home ruler" or "ruler of the household" in Old German, hence Harries could also be interpreted as "son of the home ruler." Like many surnames, variations exist such as Harris, Harrison, and Harryson. Notably, it became prevalent in Wales following the English tradition of using surnames, leading to a misconception that it is a Welsh name. It should also be noted that some Jewish people adopted the name Harries when they moved to English-speaking countries, making it a name that crosses cultural and linguistic lines.
Order DNA origin analysisHarries: Where does the name Harries come from?
The last name Harries likely originated from England or Wales. It is thought to have developed as a form of the personal name "Harry" through use over generations. "Harry" is the middle English form of "Henry," which means "home ruler."
The surname Harries could also be linked to the name “Harris," a commonly patronymic name in Wales, which means "son of Harry." The ‘-ies’ ending is also typical in Welsh surnames, further suggesting its possible origin from this region.
Today, this surname is most common in Wales, followed by England and Australia. Its distribution is particularly high in Pembrokeshire, a county in the southwest of Wales. It is also found in countries with significant Welsh and British immigrant populations like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, though to a lesser degree.
Variations of the surname Harries
The surname Harries is of Welsh origin and related to the personal name Harry. It's a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally used to denote "son of Harry". Over time and across different locations, the surname Harries has evolved and branched out into several variant spellings. These includes Harris, Harriss, Harries, Harrys, Harry's, Haris, and Herries.
Additionally, similar surnames like Harrison (meaning "son of Harry") and Parry (a Welsh variant of Harry) are also considered to be related to Harries.
In regard to geographical distribution, the surname's Welsh version, Ap Harry, was common in Wales during the Middle Ages. Eventually, the prefix "Ap", meaning "son of", was dropped or incorporated into the surname, resulting in names such as Parry and Harry. Particularly in England and Wales, you will find the surnames Harris and Harrison being more prevalent.
It's worth mentioning that while these surnames are related and may have a common origin, each has developed its own unique lineage and history over time. Thus, not everyone with these surnames necessarily shares the exact same ancestry.
Famous people with the name Harries
- Emma Harries: British actress known for roles in "Line of Duty" and "The Inbetweeners Movie".
- William Harries: American composer and producer of film and TV soundtracks.
- Martin Harries: British actor known for "Primeval" and "Sherlock Holmes".
- James Harries: British singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Kiki Harries: British actress, star of the TV series "Big Bad World".
- Charles Harries: famous British architect best known for his contributions to the Gothic Revival movement.
- Carl Harries: English footballer who played for Burnley, Barnsley, and Southend United.
- Melissa Harries: British actress known for her roles in "The Bill" and "Casualty".
- Polly Harries: British actress, star of the BBC period drama "Just The Two Of Us".
- Ciara Harries: British model and actress known for her role in the movie adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".