Urian is a male name of Welsh origin meaning "City Born." It is a Celtic noble given name, possibly derived from the British Urbgen, and is also found as a surname. Notable historical figures with this name include Urian Brereton, a groom to Henry VIII, and Urian Oakes, an English-born American minister and Latinist. In early modern Germany, "Herr Urian" or "Meister Urian" referred to a proverbial unwanted guest in literature, and the name also appears in works by famous authors such as Goethe and E.T.A. Hoffmann. Urian's meaning and legacy have left a mark in both historical and literary contexts.
Urian Oakes (1631 – July 25, 1681) was an English-born American Congregational minister and educator known for his significant contributions as the fourth president of Harvard College. Born in England, Oakes migrated to Massachusetts at a young age and graduated from Harvard College in 1649. His career took him to England during the Commonwealth era, where he served as a minister at Titchfield and faced challenges due to the Act of Uniformity. Following the death of his wife in 1669, Oakes was chosen as the minister for the vacant church of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later assumed the presidency of Harvard College in 1679 until his passing in 1681. Revered for his preaching and command of Latin, Oakes left behind a legacy of impactful writings, including sermons and a monody in English verse. Remembered for his uncommon sweetness of temper, he was dearly beloved by his congregation and the wider New England community. Urian Oakes' influence and contributions continue to be celebrated to this day.
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