UK surname
A contracted variant of the surname Harveys, possibly referring to an association with the harvesting of crops.
In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Harvis surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #33,288 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and Poole St James. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harvis is 151 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.0%.
1881 census count
4
Ranked #33,288
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1911
151 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Harvis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Harvis 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 | 50 | #24,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 21 | #31,242 |
| 1881 | historical | 4 | #33,288 |
| 1891 | historical | 2 | #34,436 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 151 | #17,797 |
| 1997 | modern | 37 | #33,964 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, Poole St James, Eling and Normanton, South. 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 | Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Poole St James | Dorset |
| 4 | Eling | Hampshire |
| 5 | Normanton, South | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Harvis 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 Harvis, 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 Harvis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Harvis 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, Harvis 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 Harvis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Harvis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HARVIS originated in England during the late medieval period, likely derived from an Old English or Anglo-Saxon personal name such as "Hereweard" or "Herewart." These names were composed of the elements "here," meaning army or host, and "weard," meaning guard or watchman, suggesting a connection to military service or guarding duties.
Early records of the name can be found in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions individuals with similar spellings like "Herewart" and "Herewad." The name HARVIS itself appeared in the late 13th century, with one of the earliest recorded instances being William Harvis, mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275.
Over time, the surname spread across various regions of England, with different spellings emerging, such as "Harvise," "Harveys," and "Harviss." The name was particularly prevalent in counties like Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire, where it was often associated with specific locations or estates.
Notables with the surname HARVIS throughout history include Sir John Harvis (1535-1607), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Richard Harvis (1610-1688), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Stafford.
In the 18th century, William Harvis (1743-1827) was a renowned English antiquarian and historian, known for his works on the history and antiquities of Northamptonshire. Similarly, John Harvis (1785-1854) was a notable English engraver and artist, renowned for his intricate engravings of architectural and topographical subjects.
The surname HARVIS also gained recognition in the literary world with the acclaimed playwright and poet, John Harvis (1872-1941), whose works explored themes of social injustice and working-class life in Victorian England.
Throughout its history, the name HARVIS has maintained a strong presence in England, often associated with rural areas and agricultural communities. Its origins and evolution reflect the rich tapestry of English history, language, and cultural traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harvis 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Harvis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.57x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 1 | 2.57x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 19.19x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 19.08x |
| Sussex | 1 | 15.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Beeston in Nottinghamshire leads with 1 Harvis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Beeston | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 47.85x |
| Hailsham | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Botolph Aldgate London | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Harvis 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 Harvis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Samuel | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Harvis surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Harvis a modern rank of #38,110.
A contracted variant of the surname Harveys, possibly referring to an association with the harvesting of crops.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Harvis 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.