HARKER
Harker
The surname Harker is of English origin and is primarily found in the northern regions of England. It is believed to be of locational origin, deriving from the place name 'Harker', which is a small hamlet in Cumbria. The name 'Harker' is thought to have originated from the Old Norse word 'harka', meaning "grey or opalescent", which likely referred to the quality of the light or the landscape in that area.
The Harker surname has been recorded in various forms throughout history, including Harker, Harkar, Harkerus, and Harkerbarrow. The earliest documented instances of the surname date back to the late 13th century in Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Famous individuals bearing the surname Harker include fictional character Jonathan Harker from Bram Stoker's gothic novel "Dracula". The character is a solicitor who travels to Transylvania and becomes embroiled in the dark world of Count Dracula.
Throughout history, the Harker family name has been associated with qualities such as resilience, determination, and loyalty. The Harker family crest features symbols such as a greyhound, representing courage and loyalty, and a cross pattee, symbolising faith and devotion.
Over the centuries, the Harker surname has spread beyond its traditional northern roots and can now be found in various parts of the United Kingdom and across the world, carried by descendants of the families who have borne it for generations.
There are approximately 5,226 people named Harker in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,813th most common surname in Britain. Around 80 in a million people in Britain are named Harker.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Graeme
- James
- John
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Joan
- Julie
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.