UK surname
A Greek surname derived from the name Harris, originating from the Greek word "haris" meaning grace or charm.
In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Herris surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #26,134 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Preston (incl. Sutton Poyntz) and Dumfries. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herris is 132 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.7%.
1881 census count
53
Ranked #26,134
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1851
132 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Herris surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Herris surname density by area, 1851 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 | 132 | #14,174 |
| 1861 | historical | 49 | #27,768 |
| 1881 | historical | 53 | #26,134 |
| 1891 | historical | 33 | #31,681 |
| 1901 | historical | 53 | #28,271 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Preston (incl. Sutton Poyntz), Dumfries, Enstone and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Preston (incl. Sutton Poyntz) | Dorset |
| 3 | Dumfries | Dumfries |
| 4 | Enstone | Oxfordshire |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Herris 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 Herris, 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 Herris surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Herris 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, Herris 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 Herris is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Herris, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HERRIS originated in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "hereris," which meant a herdsman or a keeper of cattle. The name was initially concentrated in the counties of Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HERRIS can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a William Hereris was mentioned as a resident of Devon. The name also appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which recorded a John Hereris in Somerset.
In the 14th century, the surname HERRIS began to spread to other parts of England, including Kent, where records show a Robert Hereris in 1381. During this period, the name took on various spellings, such as Heres, Hereris, and Herris.
One notable individual with the surname HERRIS was Sir Robert Herris (c. 1450-1508), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of King Henry VII. He played a significant role in the suppression of the Cornish Rebellion of 1497.
Another prominent figure was John Herris (1516-1554), an English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in Guildford during the Marian Persecutions for his religious beliefs. His story was recorded in John Foxe's Book of Martyrs.
In the 17th century, the HERRIS surname was found in various place names, such as Herristown in County Kildare, Ireland, and Herris Green in Buckinghamshire, England. During this time, the name was also associated with several notable individuals, including William Herris (1616-1670), an English clergyman and author of several theological works.
In the 18th century, the surname HERRIS continued to be prominent in England, with individuals such as Thomas Herris (1720-1767), a successful businessman and landowner in Oxfordshire, and James Herris (1743-1824), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London.
By the 19th century, the surname HERRIS had spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, as members of the family emigrated in search of new opportunities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herris 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 13 Herris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 13 | 2.56x |
| Yorkshire | 12 | 2.39x |
| Cambridgeshire | 6 | 18.68x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 1.00x |
| Cornwall | 4 | 6.97x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 3.70x |
| Somerset | 3 | 3.67x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.66x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.96x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 13.62x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.40x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Botolph Aldersgate in Middlesex leads with 7 Herris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1206.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Botolph Aldersgate | 7 | 1206.90x |
| Beaghall | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Skidby | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Wisbech St Peter | 6 | 372.67x |
| Manchester | 4 | 14.78x |
| West Looe | 4 | 2666.67x |
| Cleethorpes | 3 | 625.00x |
| Stoke St Mary | 3 | 7500.00x |
| St Bartholomew Great | 2 | 434.78x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 7.60x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.46x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 15.31x |
| Hendon | 1 | 54.95x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 36.63x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.26x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.74x |
| St Bartholomew By | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Bartholomew Less | 1 | 384.62x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 20.96x |
| Troqueer | 1 | 104.17x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Herris 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 Herris surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Herris surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Herris a modern rank of #38,110.
A Greek surname derived from the name Harris, originating from the Greek word "haris" meaning grace or charm.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Herris 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.