UK surname
From an English place name meaning "hare land," or from a German place name meaning "rock land."
In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Harlan surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #30,215 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Dean and Symington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harlan is 105 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.8%.
1881 census count
24
Ranked #30,215
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1861
105 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harlan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harlan surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 20 | #29,743 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 24 | #30,215 |
| 1891 | historical | 29 | #31,963 |
| 1901 | historical | 8 | #33,289 |
| 1911 | historical | 3 | #33,789 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 19 | #36,011 |
| 2004 | modern | 20 | #36,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 18 | #36,811 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Dean, Symington, Sudeley Manor, Winchcombe, Prescott and Warrington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 3 | Symington | Lanark |
| 4 | Sudeley Manor, Winchcombe, Prescott | Gloucestershire |
| 5 | Warrington | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harlan surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Harlan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Harlan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harlan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Harlan is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Harlan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harlan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harlan has its origins in medieval England, derived from the Old English words "hara" meaning hare and "lan" meaning a small clearing or meadow. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a clearing frequented by hares.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Harlan name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Harlene" in reference to a location in Oxfordshire. The name likely evolved from this place name, with various spellings such as Harlene, Harleyne, and Harlayne appearing in historical records throughout the Middle Ages.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named William de Harlayne was recorded as a landowner in Warwickshire. He is believed to be one of the earliest documented individuals with the Harlan surname.
During the 16th century, the Harlan family established themselves in Staffordshire, where they held estates and properties. John Harlan, born in 1554, was a prominent member of the family during this time and served as a magistrate in the county.
One of the most famous individuals with the Harlan surname was Sir Edward Harlan, born in 1624. He was a renowned English judge and Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of King Charles II. His legal expertise and decisions had a significant impact on English common law.
Another noteworthy Harlan was Michael Harlan, born in 1675, who was a prominent Quaker minister and author in Pennsylvania. He played a key role in the early Quaker community in the American colonies.
In the 18th century, the Harlan family expanded their presence in the American colonies, with several members settling in various regions. James Harlan, born in 1736 in Pennsylvania, was a soldier and surveyor who served during the American Revolutionary War.
Throughout its history, the Harlan surname has been associated with various place names, including Harlan County in Kentucky, Harlan Township in Ohio, and the town of Harlan in Iowa, among others. These place names serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Harlan family in different parts of the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harlan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 9 Harlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.24x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 9 | 3.24x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 9.25x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 11.49x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 6.38x |
| Angus | 1 | 4.61x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Biggar in Lanarkshire leads with 6 Harlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3529.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Biggar | 6 | 3529.41x |
| Halliwell | 6 | 594.06x |
| Cowpen | 4 | 500.00x |
| Barrow In Furness | 2 | 52.91x |
| Carluke | 1 | 144.93x |
| Edinburgh Old Church | 1 | 400.00x |
| Edinburgh St Stephens | 1 | 161.29x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 30.40x |
| Nuneaton | 1 | 147.06x |
| Warrington | 1 | 30.40x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harlan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Harlan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Harlan households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| Paper Maker (Manuf) | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Private 14th Bde Depot | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Harlan surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Harlan a modern rank of #36,760.
From an English place name meaning "hare land," or from a German place name meaning "rock land."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harlan bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.