Harris: Surname Origins

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The surname Harris is usually HARRIS taken as being Welsh in origin, and means "the son of Harry," a translation from the Brithonic or Celtic equivalent. Lower says: "Those who are conversant with documents belonging to the Middle Ages are well aware of the disposition that then existed to make the father's Christian name the surname of the child." In England when the patronymic was used the word "son" was affixed, as Adamson; in Ireland and Scotland and the Isle of Man "O" (descendant) and "Mac" (son) and often "ni" (daughter) were used; and in Wales the prefix "Ap" (son) was employed, later in many cases to be dropped, while the paternal name was put in the genitive case, as Griffith Williams, David John's or Jones, Rees Harry's or Harris. Harry is a diminutive or nickname of Henry. Webster gives as diminutives of Henry: "Hal, Harry, Hen, and Hawkin (obsolete)." In a list of surnames derived from baptismal names in one publication is the following paragraph: "From Henry are derived Henrison, Harry, Harris, Herries, Harrison, Hal, Halket, Hawes, Halse, Hawkins, Hawkinson, Halkins, Allkins, Haskins." Henry as a Christian name is given by Webster as of old German origin and as meaning "The head or chief of a house." Ainsworth gives the meaning as "rich lord."