HARMAN
The surname Harman is distinctly British in origin and is classically classified as an occupational name, although its linguistic roots provide a broader spectrum of interpretation.
Its earliest semantic derivation is found in the Old English personal name Hermann or Herman, which translates literally to army-man or warrior. An alternative derivation is the Old English word hearmann, meaning shepherd. Consequently, the family name may be associated with traits of strength, bravery and leadership, or with a pastoral occupation caring for flocks.
The name belongs to a group of surnames that exhibit Saxon or later Germanic influence; variations such as Harms, Harmes and Harman have been recorded. One hypothesis holds that it descended from the pre-7th Century personal name Heremar, a compound meaning army-famous, first documented as Heremerus de La Bolde in the Pipe Rolls of Stafford in 1176.
Early documentary evidence also shows the name in a locational context, possibly deriving from the German town of Harms, and appearing among Huguenot or Flemish Weaver immigrants during the late Middle Ages. The marriage of Henry Harm and Barbara Child was recorded at All Hallows, London Wall, on 15 September 1650; the christening of Ann Harm at St. Dunstan's, Stepney on 4 July 1675, and the first recorded spelling, that of Francisca Harme, in a 24 October 1591 marriage register at St. Martin in the Fields, London, are further attestations of the name’s continuity in English society.
Throughout its recorded history, the surname Harman has maintained a presence within the English social fabric, underscored by its early medieval origins, its dual possible meanings, and its traceable lineage within parish registers and civic documents. Its endurance reflects the broader pattern of English surnames that consolidate linguistic heritage and occupational identity into a single family name.
Typical given names associated with the Harman surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Laura
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Maria
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Herman
- Hermon
- Hermanson
- Haarmann
- Hallman
- Halma
- Haman
- Hamman
- Hammond
- Hammonds
- Hamon
- Hamond
- Halman
- Hammon
- Hardman
- Hairman
- Hammonde
- Hamment
- Hammant
- Hammont
- Hammand
- Hamran
- Harma
- Haraman
- Hareman
- Hariman
- Harkman
- Harmain
- Harmam
- Harmand
- Harmanda
- Harmann
- Harmans
- Harmant
- Harmas
- Harmay
- Harment
- Harmon
- Harnaman
- Harneman
- Harniman
- Harpman
- Harraman
- Harriman
- Harrman
- Harryman
- Harsman
- Hartman
- Haryman
- Hauman
- Haumann
- Hawman
- Hearman
- Heermann
- Heiermann
- Heirman
- Hereman
- Heriman
- Hermance
- Hermand
- Hermane
- Hermanis
- Hermann
- Hermanns
- Hermano
- Hermans
- Hermant
- Hermanus
- Heroman
- Herrman
- Herrmann
- Hirman
- Horeman
- Horemans
- Horman
- Hormann
- Hourman
- Hurman
- Harmal
- Harmanci
- Harmankaya
- Harmar
- Harmen
- Harmin
- Heeraman
- Herreman
- Herriman
- Herryman
- Heuerman
- Hormenoo
- Hornman
- Huermann
- Haran
- Harm
- Hartmann
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Harman in...
Braille
⠓⠁⠗⠍⠁⠝
Morse
.....-.-.--.--.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Harman are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Jaffa Cake.
There are approximately 9,323 people named Harman in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,006th most common surname in Britain. Around 143 in a million people in Britain are named Harman.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Harman
- Harriet Harman - Politician
- Louise Harman - Rapper and grime artist
- Jasmine Harman - Television presenter
- Nigel Harman - Actor
- David John Harman - Musician, singer-songwriter and businessman (1941 to 2009)
- Chris Harman - Journalist and political activist (1942 to 2009)
- Jack Harman - Army general (1920 to 2009)
- John Harman - Recipient of the Victoria Cross (1914 to 1944)
- Jeremiah Harman - Judge
- Roger Harman - Cricketer
- Mark Harman - Cricketer
- Charles Harman - Judge (1894 to 1970)
- Samuel Bickerton Harman - Canadian politician (1819 to 1892)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.