Harrison


Select Harrison Surname Genealogy

Harrison is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry."  Harry is a pet form of Henry introduced to England by the Normans. 

Select Harrison Resources on The Internet

England.  There is Harrison and Harris.  Harrison used to be more prevalent in the north of England, Harris in the south.  There was a Thomas Harrison in Northumberland in the early 1400's.  In Yorkshire, John Harryson was recorded in Sheffield in 1445 and John Harrison was a prominent wool merchant in Leeds in the late 16th century.  The incidence of the Harrison name has more recently extended southwards.  It is most numerous today in the county of Kent.

America.  The Harrisons were among the first families of Virginia, from 1630 when Benjamin Harrison, the first of many to bear that name, arrived.  The family produced numerous Governors of Virginia and two US Presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.  Another Harrison line in Virginia, the Harrisons of Skimino, came from 17th century Quaker roots.

Select Harrison Names

John Harrison was the English clockmaker who invented the marine chronometer and thereby solved the problem of measuring longitude.
William Henry Harrison was the 9th American President in 1841 (he only lasted 32 days).
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd American President, from 1889 to 1893.
Rex Harrison was the British actor famed for his portrayal of Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady.
George Harrison was the lead guitarist for the Beatles.

Select Harrisons Today
  • 123,000 in the UK (most numerous in Kent)
  • 53,000 in America (most numerous in Texas)
  • 36,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Australia)
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For other surnames check the companion selectsurname.com site where there are to be found the history and genealogy for more than 500 surnames.

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