UK surname
Derived from Middle English harre, referring to someone who lived on a hill or mountain.
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Harr surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Thurrock, Grays and Hanwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harr is 300 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.0%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1861
300 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harr surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harr surname density by area, 1891 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 | 91 | #18,187 |
| 1861 | historical | 300 | #8,432 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 175 | #16,467 |
| 1901 | historical | 90 | #24,021 |
| 1911 | historical | 68 | #26,050 |
| 1997 | modern | 22 | #35,584 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 17 | #36,207 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 40 | #35,422 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Thurrock, Grays, Hanwell, Limington 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 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Thurrock, Grays | Essex |
| 3 | Hanwell | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Limington | Somerset |
| 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 Harr 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 Harr, 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 Harr surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harr 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, Harr 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 Harr is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harr, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HARR originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word 'hara', meaning 'hare' or 'rabbit'. This name likely referred to someone who was associated with hunting or had some resemblance to a hare.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HARR can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Hare'. This suggests that the name was present in England before the Norman Conquest.
Throughout history, various spellings of the name have been used, such as Hare, Har, Harr, and Harre. These variations reflect the regional dialects and spelling conventions of different areas in England.
In the 13th century, the name HARR appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, where it was spelled 'Harre'. This indicates that the name was prevalent in that region during that time period.
One notable individual with the surname HARR was John Harr, a member of the English Parliament who lived in the late 15th century (c. 1450-1516). He represented the borough of Westbury in Wiltshire during the reign of King Henry VII.
Another historical figure was Sir Ralph Harr, who lived in the 16th century (c. 1520-1592). He was a prominent landowner and served as the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1569.
In the 17th century, a man named Thomas Harr (c. 1625-1688) gained recognition as a successful merchant and philanthropist in the city of Bristol. He donated funds for the establishment of a school and almshouses in the area.
During the 18th century, the surname HARR was associated with several place names in England, such as Harrold in Bedfordshire and Harrowby in Lincolnshire. These locations may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in those regions.
One notable individual from this period was William Harr (1720-1805), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Old Bailey courthouse.
While these examples provide a glimpse into the history of the surname HARR, it is important to note that records from earlier centuries can be incomplete or inconsistent, and further research may uncover additional information about the origins and prevalence of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harr 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. Lincolnshire leads with 23 Harrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 23 | 33.52x |
| Surrey | 9 | 4.30x |
| Pembrokeshire | 3 | 21.99x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.77x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 3.48x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.18x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.23x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.48x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Molesey in Surrey leads with 9 Harrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1836.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| East Molesey | 9 | 1836.73x |
| Stamford All Sts | 9 | 2368.42x |
| Frieston | 8 | 5000.00x |
| Leake | 3 | 967.74x |
| Milverton | 3 | 937.50x |
| St Issells | 3 | 1034.48x |
| Coningsby | 2 | 1000.00x |
| South Leith | 2 | 30.91x |
| Dewsbury | 1 | 22.94x |
| High Ongar | 1 | 625.00x |
| Northampton St Sepulchre | 1 | 48.78x |
| Spalding | 1 | 73.53x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 4.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harr 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 Harr 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 Harr households.
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Harr surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Harr a modern rank of #35,069.
Derived from Middle English harre, referring to someone who lived on a hill or mountain.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harr 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.