UK surname
A surname derived from the Old French word "herrier," meaning a hare hunter.
In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Harrier surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #26,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harrier is 197 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 60.8%.
1881 census count
51
Ranked #26,428
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1861
197 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harrier surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harrier 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 197 | #12,166 |
| 1881 | historical | 51 | #26,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 33 | #30,384 |
| 1911 | historical | 15 | #31,938 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Manchester, Lambeth, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Caputh. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Mottram-in-Longdendale | Lancashire |
| 5 | Caputh | Perth |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harrier 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 Harrier, 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 Harrier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harrier 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, Harrier 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 Harrier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harrier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harrier has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "hergere," which referred to a type of soldier or warrior who engaged in destructive raids or plundering expeditions. This occupation-based surname was likely given to individuals who were soldiers or involved in military activities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Harrier can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Heriere." This medieval document was a record of landholders in England, indicating that the name was present during this time period.
In the 14th century, the surname Harrier appeared in various records with slight variations in spelling, such as "Heryer," "Heryour," and "Heriur." These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that era.
The Harrier surname has also been associated with certain place names in England. For example, the village of Harrier in Wiltshire may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in that region.
Notable individuals with the surname Harrier include:
1. Sir John Harrier (c. 1490-1551), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of King Henry VIII. 2. Thomas Harrier (1567-1627), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works in the early 17th century. 3. Elizabeth Harrier (1640-1719), a prominent figure in the early Quaker movement in England and a writer of spiritual texts. 4. William Harrier (1764-1828), an English painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits. 5. James Harrier (1828-1901), a British explorer and naturalist who documented the flora and fauna of various regions in Africa and Asia.
It is worth noting that the Harrier surname has been present throughout English history, with various individuals bearing this name playing significant roles in various fields, including politics, religion, arts, and exploration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harrier 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. Hampshire leads with 12 Harriers recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 12 | 12.25x |
| Perthshire | 11 | 51.28x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 1.06x |
| Northumberland | 6 | 8.44x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.72x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.90x |
| Somerset | 2 | 2.60x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 4.73x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 2.26x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.26x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.34x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caputh in Perthshire leads with 9 Harriers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2647.06x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Caputh | 9 | 2647.06x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 6 | 141.18x |
| Ryde | 6 | 285.71x |
| St Mary Extra | 6 | 759.49x |
| Hulme | 5 | 42.23x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 4 | 41.58x |
| Brinnington | 2 | 202.02x |
| Chisledon | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Walcot | 2 | 48.78x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 12.08x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 8.07x |
| Chinley Bugsworth | 1 | 500.00x |
| Dunkeld | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Killin | 1 | 476.19x |
| Monifieth | 1 | 64.10x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 26.88x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier households.
FAQ
In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Harrier surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Harrier a modern rank of #36,679.
A surname derived from the Old French word "herrier," meaning a hare hunter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harrier 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.