UK surname
A Middle English form of the ancient French name Henri, meaning "ruler of the home."
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Harriett surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Boston (incl. Boston allotments), Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harriett is 767 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.1%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1861
767 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harriett surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harriett 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 | 165 | #12,053 |
| 1861 | historical | 767 | #3,583 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 254 | #12,598 |
| 1901 | historical | 65 | #26,917 |
| 1911 | historical | 116 | #20,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 18 | #36,607 |
| 2009 | modern | 18 | #36,682 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 19 | #36,641 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Boston (incl. Boston allotments), Manchester, Lambeth, Middlesborough and Brighton. 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 | Boston (incl. Boston allotments) | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Middlesborough | Durham |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harriett 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 Harriett, 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 Harriett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harriett 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, Harriett 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 Harriett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harriett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harriett originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Henri" or "Henry," which in turn comes from the Germanic name "Heimrich," meaning "home ruler." The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Harriett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Herierd" and "Heruard," indicating its Norman-French roots.
Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Harryet, Harryett, and eventually Harriett. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the changing spelling conventions of the English language.
One notable bearer of the surname Harriett was Sir John Harriett (c.1345-1418), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1391. Another was William Harriett (1590-1657), an English mathematician and astronomer who worked on improving the accuracy of navigation calculations.
In the 18th century, the surname Harriett was associated with several notable figures. John Harriett (1701-1773) was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. Elizabeth Harriett (1744-1816) was a renowned English poet and writer known for her works on moral and religious themes.
During the 19th century, the surname Harriett gained further prominence. Charles Harriett (1802-1872) was a British civil engineer who worked on various railway projects, including the construction of the Great Western Railway. William Harriett (1841-1912) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that while the surname Harriett has a rich history, it is not among the most common surnames in England or other parts of the world today. However, it continues to be carried on by families with roots in the regions where it originated and spread.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harriett 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. Sussex leads with 16 Harrietts recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 16 | 23.73x |
| Durham | 6 | 5.04x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.50x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 11.49x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.20x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.70x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.20x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.68x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.85x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Willingdon in Sussex leads with 9 Harrietts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5294.12x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Willingdon | 9 | 5294.12x |
| Dudley | 5 | 78.74x |
| Gateshead | 5 | 56.12x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 12.43x |
| Wilmington | 4 | 13333.33x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 21.19x |
| Deptford St Paul | 2 | 19.01x |
| Rottingdean | 2 | 869.57x |
| Berry Pomeroy | 1 | 714.29x |
| Brighton | 1 | 7.35x |
| Heworth | 1 | 42.74x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 17.79x |
| Lower Mitton | 1 | 217.39x |
| Plumtree | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Rolvenden | 1 | 555.56x |
| Westgate | 1 | 27.10x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harriett 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 Harriett 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 Harriett households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| Blacksmith | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Canal Co Engineers Wife | 1 |
| Clerk University Store | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Engine Driver (Ry) | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Lab Agric | 1 |
| Nurse (S Med) | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
| Shoeing Smith | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Harriett surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Harriett a modern rank of #36,832.
A Middle English form of the ancient French name Henri, meaning "ruler of the home."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harriett 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.