Harper Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Harper come from? What does the surname Harper mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Harper and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Harp
Surname Harper Origin: What does the last name Harper mean?
Harper is an English, Scottish, and Irish surname that is also used as a unisex given name in the United States. It originated as an occupational name, deriving from the Middle English term for a harp player or maker. Alternatively, it may have Norman or Gaelic roots, with variations like le Harpur and Mac Chruiteir. The name has gained popularity in recent years, with Virginia and the US seeing it among the top names for newborn girls in 2021 and 2022. In Canada, it ranked as the 34th most popular name for girls in 2022.
YourRoots data shows the Harper surname appearing in Scotland, UK, in the early 14th century, with significant growth seen in England by the 16th century. The name spread to the United States in the 17th century, becoming more prevalent than in the UK. Today, Harper is a globally recognized surname, found in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, France, and Ireland, reflecting its widespread presence and diverse heritage.
Harper Last Name History: Where did the last name Harper come from?
Origin of Harper Surname: Where does the last name Harper originate from?
Our YourRoots database indicates that the surname Harper was first recorded in records from Scotland, United Kingdom, during the early 14th century. Please note that this reflects only YourRoots data for the exact “Harper” spelling and does not include other record sources or surname variations.
History of the Last Name Harper: What does the Harper surname history look like in the early days?
The Harper surname appeared predominantly in the United Kingdom from the 14th to the 15th century, with a significant increase in frequency in England during the 16th century. The data from YourRoots also shows a notable growth of Harper family records in the United States, starting in the 17th century, indicating a transatlantic expansion of the surname.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Harper surname today?
By the 18th century, the Harper surname had gained substantial prevalence in the United States, eventually surpassing the United Kingdom in the volume of records. This trend continued into the 19th and 20th centuries, where the United States had the most records of the Harper surname. However, despite its American prominence, the Harper surname has a global presence. It can be found in many countries, including but not limited to, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, France, and Ireland.
Explore Harper last name heritage and Harper surname origin based on YourRoots Map data
VIEW THE ORIGIN OF SURNAME HARPER
Famous People With Harper Surame?
Ben Harper
Benjamin Charles Harper (born Oct 28, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his eclectic mix of music genres. With twelve studio albums and three Grammy Awards, Harper's talent in guitar-playing and vocals shines through his activism and live performances.
Valerie Harper
Valerie Kathryn Harper (Aug 22, 1939 - Aug 30, 2019) was an American actress best known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff Rhoda. She also appeared in films like Freebie and the Bean and Chapter Two, earning Golden Globe nominations.
William Jackson Harper
William Fitzgerald Harper (Feb 8, 1980 - ) is an American actor and playwright. He gained fame as Chidi Anagonye in NBC's "The Good Place" and appeared in Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." Harper has also starred in Broadway productions and acclaimed films like "Midsommar" and "Dark Waters."
Hill Harper
Frank Eugene "Hill" Harper (May 17, 1966) is an American actor, author, and political activist. Known for roles in CSI: NY and The Good Doctor, Harper is also a bestselling author and advocate for social justice. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024.
Jessica Harper
Jessica Randolph Harper (born Oct 3, 1949) is an American actress, singer, and award-winning author. She is best known for her roles in cult classics like Suspiria and Shock Treatment, as well as appearances in popular films like Minority Report. Harper is also a talented children's author and musician.
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