UK surname
Possibly an English surname derived from a place name meaning "grey island" or "deer island".
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Harsey surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2008, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,673, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Marylebone and Harwich St Nicholas. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harsey is 240 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.7%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
2
2008, ranked #38,673
Peak year
1891
240 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harsey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harsey 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 | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 19 | #31,470 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 240 | #13,123 |
| 1901 | historical | 37 | #30,009 |
| 1911 | historical | 77 | #25,106 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Marylebone, Harwich St Nicholas, Dalton-le-Dale and Melcombe Regis. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Harwich St Nicholas | Essex |
| 4 | Dalton-le-Dale | Durham |
| 5 | Melcombe Regis | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harsey 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 Harsey, 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 Harsey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harsey 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, Harsey 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 Harsey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harsey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Harsey is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Hertfordshire. It is thought to be a locational name derived from the village of Herstingstone, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Herestanhestuna."
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Harsey dates back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Hertfordshire from 1273, there is a mention of a Richard de Hersteyneston, whose name is a variant spelling of the location.
During the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Herstingstone, Hersteyston, Herstestone, and Herseyston. These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and the regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Harsey was Sir John Harsey (1561-1631), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in the early 17th century. He was a prominent landowner and played a significant role in local affairs.
Another individual of note was William Harsey (1675-1741), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Chislehurst in Kent. He published several religious works, including "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper" and "A Discourse on the Sacrament of Baptism."
In the 18th century, Thomas Harsey (1732-1804) was a renowned architect and surveyor who worked on various projects in London and the surrounding areas. He was involved in the construction of several churches and public buildings during his career.
Moving into the 19th century, we find Joseph Harsey (1801-1873), an English artist and engraver who specialized in book illustrations and landscape paintings. His works were highly regarded during his lifetime and can be found in various art collections.
Lastly, a more recent figure was Elizabeth Harsey (1887-1964), a British novelist and playwright who achieved success with her works of fiction, including the novel "The Unlit Lamp" and the play "The Moonlight Sonata."
Throughout its history, the surname Harsey has maintained a strong presence in England, particularly in the counties of Hertfordshire and Essex, where it originated. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the medieval village of Herstingstone, reflecting the rich historical tapestry woven into this surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harsey 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. Surrey leads with 7 Harseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 7 | 10.53x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 3.66x |
| Sussex | 1 | 4.35x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 2.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 6 Harseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.42x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 6 | 50.42x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 39.84x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 8.72x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 13.07x |
| Hove | 1 | 99.01x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 13.18x |
| Southwark St Thomas | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 9.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harsey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Harsey surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2008. That gives Harsey a modern rank of #38,673.
Possibly an English surname derived from a place name meaning "grey island" or "deer island".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harsey 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.