The surname HARY is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the medieval personal name "Harry," which was a diminutive form of the name "Henry." The name "Henry" itself is derived from the Germanic name "Heimrich," meaning "home ruler."
HARY was initially prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, where some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners and tenants during the reign of King Edward I, there are mentions of individuals with the surname HARY, such as William Hary and Robert Hary.
The name HARY also appears in the Pipe Rolls of 1194, which were financial records maintained by the Exchequer during the reign of King Richard I. These rolls contain references to a certain William Hary, who was listed as owing taxes in the county of Oxfordshire.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname HARY was Sir John Hary, who lived in the late 14th century and served as a knight in the service of King Richard II. He was involved in various military campaigns and was granted lands in Oxfordshire for his services.
In the 15th century, there was a notable figure named Thomas Hary, who was a prominent merchant and trader based in the city of London. He was involved in the lucrative wool trade and is mentioned in several records from the period, including the London Subsidy Rolls of 1441.
Another notable bearer of the HARY surname was Robert Hary, who lived in the 16th century and was a renowned scholar and translator. He is best known for his English translation of the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch, which was published in 1567.
During the 17th century, a prominent member of the HARY family was Sir Edward Hary, who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Wallingford in Oxfordshire. He was born in 1612 and played an active role in the political affairs of his time.
In the 18th century, the name HARY was associated with the village of Harpole in Northamptonshire, which was previously known as "Hary's Pool" or "Hary's Poole," possibly derived from an early landowner or notable figure with the surname HARY.
These are just a few examples of the historical references and notable individuals associated with the surname HARY, showcasing its long-standing presence in various regions of England and its connections to different spheres of society over the centuries.