Surname Harrison - Meaning and Origin

Deciphering My Harrison Ancestry: A Voyage into My Viking Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on a captivating journey through my family's past with the assistance of an iGENEA DNA test revealed startling insights into the Harrison surname's origin. The genetic mappings traced my lineage back to Viking roots, suggesting that the Harrisons descended from hardy Norse seafarers. The experiences illustrated an intricate tapestry of history, migration, and cultural assimilation tied to the Harrison surname.

H. Harrison

Harrison: What does the surname Harrison mean?

The surname Harrison is of English origin and translates as "son of Harry". It is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from the name of a father or paternal ancestor. In this case, the "Harris" part of the name comes from a medieval form of Henry, which was Harry. The suffix "son" indicates lineage, hence "son of Harry". This method of creating surnames was a common practice in Europe, especially in regions influenced by England. The name can thus be found in many English-speaking countries. Henry itself is derived from an Old German name meaning "home ruler", so indirectly, Harrison could be said to mean "son of the home ruler". Famous bearers of the name include the U.S. Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, as well as the musician George Harrison of The Beatles.

Harrison: Where does the name Harrison come from?

The last name Harrison is of English origin. It derives from the medieval personal name, Harry, which is a diminutive form of Henry. "Harrison" essentially means "son of Harry." This type of patronymic surname was popular in the Middle Ages, where parents' names were frequently used as identifiers, particularly in regions where surnames were not yet the norm.

Harrison is a common surname in Anglophone countries. It is especially common in England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In England, it is particularly prevalent in the northern and midland regions. According to contemporary UK census data, places with a high density of people with the last name Harrison include Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Cumbria. In the United States, it is frequently found across the country, albeit more concentrated in certain states like Texas. Similarly, in Australia, the surname Harrison is a common occurrence, particularly concentrated in the state of Victoria. Despite originating in English-speaking lands, Harrison is not an uncommon surname in non-Anglophone countries due to the spread of English people around the world.

Variations of the surname Harrison

The surname Harrison is of English origin and is a patronymic name which means "son of Harry". The spelling variations of the surname Harrison are predominantly due to an overlap of spelling variations and translations from old British English in different regions and the incorporation of other languages.

Here are the known spelling variants: Harison, Harrisson, Harrieson, Herrison, and Harienson. Some other related surnames originated from Harrison, including its many patronymic versions such as Harris, Harry, Harries, Harres, Harison and possibly Horace might have the same or similar origins.

There are also other versions of it in different countries and cultures, such as Henriksen in Denmark and Norway, Hendriksen in Netherlands, Enrikoson in Greece, Henriksson in Sweden and Finland, Ginzburg in Russia and eastern Europe.

Additionally, during the large diaspora and immigration to America, many with the surname Harrison may have modified spelling to assimilate more readily into American culture or increased ease of pronunciation. De-Harrison, or adding prefixes like Mac, O, Fitz to the Harrison, which indicate "son of," are also common adaptable forms of the surname.

Please note that all these variations could be due to regional differences, personal preference, or clerical errors, and do not always necessarily indicate kinship.

Famous people with the name Harrison

• George Harrison: A member of The Beatles, one of the most successful and influential bands in the history of popular music.
• Harrison Ford: An acclaimed Hollywood actor, known for his roles in "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" films.
• Rex Harrison: An English actor who won both Academy Award and Tony Award.
• Benjamin Harrison: The 23rd president of the United States from 1889 to 1893.
• William Henry Harrison: The 9th president of the United States who served for just 32 days in 1841.
• Dhani Harrison: The son of George Harrison and an accomplished musician in his own right.
• Joel Harrison: An American jazz guitarist and composer.
• Marvin Harrison: A former American football wide receiver who spent his entire 13-year career with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.
• James "Jim” Harrison: An American writer best known for his series of novellas about masculinity and the American West.
• Rick Harrison: A reality television personality best known from the show "Pawn Stars".
• Chris Harrison: The host of the television reality show "The Bachelor".
• Audrey Harrison: A British former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2013.
• George Harrison Shull: An American plant geneticist, one of the founders of the science of genetics.

Other surnames

HarrisHarrisenHarriss