UK surname
A surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "harn," meaning "armor" or "protection."
In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Harner surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #21,449 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Dean and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harner is 573 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.5%.
1881 census count
86
Ranked #21,449
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1891
573 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harner surname density by area, 1911 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 | 267 | #8,342 |
| 1861 | historical | 557 | #4,727 |
| 1881 | historical | 86 | #21,449 |
| 1891 | historical | 573 | #6,640 |
| 1901 | historical | 190 | #15,634 |
| 1911 | historical | 236 | #13,452 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Dean, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Blackburn and London parishes. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 3 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| 4 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harner 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 Harner, 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 Harner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harner 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, Harner 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 Harner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harner has its origins in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "haern," meaning "heron," and was likely an occupational name given to someone who caught or traded in herons.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273, which mentions a William le Harnere. This suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive surname, referring to the person's occupation or association with herons.
By the 14th century, the name had evolved into various spellings such as Harner, Harnor, and Herner. In the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire from 1344, a Robert le Harnere is mentioned, indicating the prevalence of the name in different regions of England.
The Harner surname was particularly common in the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, where it is believed the name originated. These areas were known for their abundance of herons, which were prized for their feathers and meat during that time.
One notable historical figure bearing the name Harner was John Harner, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of Worcester in the late 16th century. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as the Mayor of Worcester in 1587.
Another individual of note was Thomas Harner, who was born in Warwickshire in 1632. He was a respected clergyman and served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwick from 1660 until his death in 1702.
In the 17th century, the Harner family had established themselves in the village of Harborne, near Birmingham. This village is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "har" meaning "hoar" or "grey" and "burna" meaning "stream," potentially indicating a connection between the Harner surname and the place name.
A notable figure from this period was William Harner, born in Harborne in 1675. He was a successful merchant and landowner, and his family played a significant role in the local community for several generations.
As the centuries passed, the Harner surname spread beyond its origins in the Midlands region of England, with families bearing the name found in various parts of the country. However, the name remained relatively uncommon compared to other English surnames.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harner 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 20 Harners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 20 | 2.01x |
| Devon | 19 | 10.88x |
| Middlesex | 17 | 2.03x |
| Surrey | 9 | 2.20x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.40x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 1.42x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.21x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.22x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.16x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.70x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.24x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.97x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.71x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Colyton in Devon leads with 16 Harners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2388.06x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Colyton | 16 | 2388.06x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 6 | 75.95x |
| Hulme | 6 | 28.87x |
| Crossgate | 5 | 458.72x |
| Islington London | 5 | 6.15x |
| Manchester | 4 | 8.94x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 5.60x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 6.38x |
| Paddington London | 3 | 9.73x |
| Battersea | 2 | 6.48x |
| Deal | 2 | 81.97x |
| Rotherhithe | 2 | 19.31x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.96x |
| Stockland | 2 | 800.00x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 4.60x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.74x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.42x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 1 | 37.74x |
| Cherington | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Cottam | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Croydon | 1 | 4.41x |
| Frant | 1 | 100.00x |
| Great Marlow | 1 | 72.99x |
| Ham | 1 | 555.56x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 4.84x |
| Havering | 1 | 769.23x |
| Hendon | 1 | 33.11x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 19.23x |
| Little Bolton | 1 | 7.81x |
| North Meols | 1 | 10.27x |
| Over Darwen | 1 | 12.58x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.97x |
| Romsey Extra | 1 | 98.04x |
| St George Martyr London | 1 | 58.82x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 22.68x |
| Thorpe | 1 | 555.56x |
| Upottery | 1 | 476.19x |
| Warwick St Mary | 1 | 54.35x |
| West Ardsley | 1 | 100.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harner 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 Harner 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 Harner households.
FAQ
In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Harner surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Harner a modern rank of #37,705.
A surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "harn," meaning "armor" or "protection."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harner 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.