NameCensus.

UK surname

Harman

Derived from the Old English words "here" and "mann," referring to a military man or soldier.

In the 1881 census there were 4,485 people recorded with the Harman surname, ranking it #999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,334, ranked #1,065, down from #999 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Brighton and Hove and Hastings.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harman is 6,850 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41.2%.

1881 census count

4,485

Ranked #999

Modern count

6,334

2016, ranked #1,065

Peak year

1999

6,850 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harman had 4,485 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #999 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,334 in 2016, ranked #1,065.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,172 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Harman surname distribution map

The map shows where the Harman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Harman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harman over time

The 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 2,680 #1,102
1861 historical 2,734 #1,074
1881 historical 4,485 #999
1891 historical 4,953 #946
1901 historical 5,604 #994
1911 historical 6,172 #836
1997 modern 6,505 #997
1998 modern 6,722 #1,006
1999 modern 6,850 #993
2000 modern 6,690 #1,014
2001 modern 6,534 #1,014
2002 modern 6,667 #1,018
2003 modern 6,461 #1,033
2004 modern 6,424 #1,039
2005 modern 6,236 #1,056
2006 modern 6,147 #1,068
2007 modern 6,235 #1,060
2008 modern 6,279 #1,057
2009 modern 6,444 #1,057
2010 modern 6,500 #1,065
2011 modern 6,357 #1,076
2012 modern 6,378 #1,048
2013 modern 6,454 #1,053
2014 modern 6,451 #1,062
2015 modern 6,354 #1,066
2016 modern 6,334 #1,065

Geography

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Where Harmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Lambeth and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Wealden and Redditch. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 039 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Brighton and Hove 005 Brighton and Hove
3 Hastings 002 Hastings
4 Wealden 006 Wealden
5 Redditch 013 Redditch

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harman

These lists show first names that appear often with the Harman surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Harman, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Harman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Harman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Harman is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Harman is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Harman falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Harman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Harman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Harman

The surname HARMAN has its origins in England, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "heargarm," which translates to "heathen army" or "pagan warrior." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who were part of invading armies or those who fought against the Christian armies during the early medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HARMAN surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Hareman." This entry provides evidence that the name was present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest. It is likely that the name evolved over time, with various spellings such as Harman, Harmon, and Harmyn being used interchangeably.

During the 13th century, the HARMAN surname can be found in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a "Willelmus Hareman." This suggests that the name had spread across different regions of England by this time.

In the 14th century, the HARMAN surname appeared in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where a "Johannes Harman" is listed. This record provides further evidence of the name's presence in different parts of the country.

One notable individual bearing the HARMAN surname was William Harman (1457-1530), who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1493. He played a significant role in the construction of several religious buildings, including the Leadenhall Chapel.

Another notable figure was John Harman (1585-1670), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells. His works included religious treatises and sermons published during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Thomas Harman (1737-1817) was a British naval officer who achieved the rank of Admiral. He played a crucial role in several naval battles during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

The HARMAN surname also has connections to place names in England. For instance, the village of Harmondsworth in Middlesex is believed to have derived its name from the Old English "Heremundes wurth," which means "Heremunde's enclosure." This suggests a potential link between the surname and the place name.

Throughout its history, the HARMAN surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including military personnel, clergymen, authors, and public figures. While the exact origins and meanings may have evolved over time, the name has maintained a strong presence in England and other parts of the world where English surnames have taken root.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harman surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 785 Harmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.80x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 785 1.80x
Surrey 735 3.46x
Sussex 699 9.50x
Kent 398 2.67x
Yorkshire 212 0.49x
Hampshire 157 1.76x
Norfolk 136 2.03x
Essex 131 1.52x
Buckinghamshire 112 4.25x
Gloucestershire 105 1.23x
Warwickshire 98 0.89x
Lancashire 97 0.19x
Glamorgan 92 1.21x
Staffordshire 80 0.54x
Berkshire 72 2.20x
Worcestershire 64 1.12x
Oxfordshire 58 2.15x
Wiltshire 58 1.50x
Durham 39 0.30x
Somerset 34 0.48x
Cheshire 27 0.28x
Lincolnshire 26 0.37x
Leicestershire 24 0.50x
Suffolk 24 0.45x
Lanarkshire 23 0.16x
Hertfordshire 21 0.70x
Aberdeenshire 17 0.42x
Dorset 17 0.59x
Devon 15 0.17x
Cambridgeshire 13 0.47x
Monmouthshire 12 0.38x
Stirlingshire 11 0.68x
Berwickshire 10 1.89x
Cornwall 9 0.18x
Derbyshire 8 0.12x
Northumberland 8 0.12x
Bedfordshire 7 0.31x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.10x
Northamptonshire 5 0.12x
Ayrshire 4 0.12x
Herefordshire 4 0.22x
Cumberland 3 0.08x
Rutland 3 0.94x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.23x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.32x
Midlothian 2 0.03x
Royal Navy 2 0.38x
Angus 1 0.02x
Channel Islands 1 0.08x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.07x
Renfrewshire 1 0.03x
Shropshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 274 Harmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.47x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 274 18.47x
Lambeth 118 3.10x
Croydon 89 7.54x
Camberwell 85 3.05x
Newington 82 5.09x
Islington London 78 1.84x
Kensington London 66 2.72x
Hackney London 52 2.13x
Shoreditch London 50 2.64x
Rotherfield 49 75.66x
St Pancras London 47 1.34x
Great Yarmouth 45 8.10x
Wycombe 44 22.38x
Hastings St Mary In The 41 26.13x
Aston 39 1.29x
Bermondsey 38 2.93x
West Ham 37 1.95x
Portsea 36 2.05x
Chelsea London 34 2.59x
Margate St John Baptist 34 12.48x
Southampton St Mary 33 5.87x
Mile End Old Town London 32 3.45x
St Marylebone London 32 1.37x
Reigate Foreign 31 13.47x
Ealing 30 7.70x
Hastings All Sts 29 41.85x
Hastings St Mary 26 14.20x
Bethnal Green London 25 1.32x
St George Hanover Square 24 3.12x
West Wycombe 24 67.08x
Northfleet 23 17.54x
Swansea Town 23 3.69x
Battersea 22 1.37x
Icklesham 22 169.88x
Minchinhampton 22 32.27x
Wednesfield 22 10.15x
Liverpool 20 0.64x
Paddington London 20 1.25x
Rotherhithe 20 3.71x
Southwark Christchurch 20 9.78x
Wandsworth 20 4.76x
Westminster St John 20 3.76x
Buckland In Dover 19 38.52x
Clapham 18 3.30x
Ore 18 32.88x
Roath 18 5.22x
Birmingham 17 0.46x
Holy Trinity 17 1.64x
Horley 17 47.71x
Hulme 17 1.57x
Watlington 17 61.64x
Betchworth 16 61.02x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 16 1.99x
Burstow 16 88.79x
East Ham 16 10.01x
Folkestone 16 5.54x
Kidderminster Borough 16 4.80x
Sevenoaks 16 13.26x
Aberdeen Old Machar 15 1.78x
Bromley 15 6.61x
Dukinfield 15 3.37x
Gressenhall 15 120.87x
Kingston On Thames 15 2.94x
St Giles In Fields London 15 7.01x
Trowbridge 15 8.80x
Whitstable 15 20.55x
Bromley London 14 1.46x
Hammersmith London 14 1.30x
Southcoates 14 5.83x
Stoke Newington London 14 4.12x
Studley 14 29.76x
Westminster St Margaret 14 6.65x
Westoe 14 1.90x
Weston 14 350.88x
Wimbledon 14 5.87x
Clewer 13 9.69x
Govan 13 0.37x
Hastings St Clement 13 18.78x
Leicester St Margaret 13 1.10x
Southwark St George Martyr 13 1.48x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 265
Sarah 137
Elizabeth 125
Emily 83
Jane 77
Annie 74
Ellen 74
Emma 65
Ann 62
Alice 56
Eliza 52
Louisa 48
Fanny 43
Charlotte 42
Caroline 33
Hannah 33
Edith 31
Margaret 30
Maria 28
Florence 27
Martha 27
Anne 26
Kate 26
Agnes 23
Catherine 22
Sophia 22
Amelia 21
Harriett 21
Harriet 20
Ada 19
Matilda 19
Rose 18
Frances 15
Julia 15
Amy 14
Susannah 14
Esther 12
Lucy 12
Susan 12
Clara 11
Elizth. 11
Helen 11
Bertha 9
Grace 9
Katherine 9
Rosa 9
Bridget 8
Ethel 7
Gertrude 7
Laura 7

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Harman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 267
John 205
George 203
James 137
Henry 119
Thomas 112
Charles 96
Alfred 75
Edward 56
Frederick 55
Albert 54
Robert 48
Richard 44
Joseph 43
Arthur 42
Walter 39
Harry 29
Samuel 29
Frank 27
Ernest 25
Edwin 20
Herbert 17
Benjamin 16
Francis 14
David 12
Wm. 11
Edmund 10
Thos. 9
Fredrick 8
Jesse 8
Michael 8
Peter 8
Willm. 8
Amos 7
Chas. 7
Percy 7
Stephen 7
Daniel 6
Horace 6
Patrick 6
Abraham 5
Fred 5
Geo. 5
Mark 5
Philip 5
Leonard 4
Martin 4
Phillip 4
Sydney 4
Tom 4

FAQ

Harman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,485 people were recorded with the Harman surname. That placed it at #999 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,334 in 2016. That gives Harman a modern rank of #1,065.

What does the Harman surname mean?

Derived from the Old English words "here" and "mann," referring to a military man or soldier.

What does the Harman map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harman bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.