Surname Harnis - Meaning and Origin
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Harnis: What does the surname Harnis mean?
The last name Harnis is of German origin and likely derived from the popular Middle High German name Harnisch. It is likely related to the German word "Harn" which means armor, and the word “Harnisch” which means "to armor oneself” or “to arm oneself." This would indicate that the original bearer of the last name Harnis was likely an armorer or someone who was involved in the armor trade.
The last name Harnis is especially common in regions such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. This may suggest that the origins of the last name are most likely in these countries. It is possible that the name was given to an early ancestor who worked as an armorer in these countries.
It is also possible that the last name Harnis is derived from other words, such as the German word "hornes" which means corner. This could suggest that the original bearer of the last name was a man who resided or owned a property at a corner.
Overall, the last name Harnis is of German origin and was likely derived from either the German word “Harn” and “Harnisch”, or the German word “hornes.” It may have originally been given to an armorer or someone who owned a property at a corner. The last name is still common today in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
Order DNA origin analysisHarnis: Where does the name Harnis come from?
The last name Harnis is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany today. It also has a presence in Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Many people with the surname Harnis have anglicized or changed the spelling of their name to Harrison.
Harnis is a topographic surname referring to someone who lived in a marsh or swamp. This type of name refers to the physical features of the land, and was often given to people who lived in a location with particular characteristics. The word “Harnis” can be translated to “harsh/rugged terrain.”
Harnis may also refer to someone who lived near a pond or small lake. This type of name was also very popular during the Middle Ages in Germany. It was common for people to give names to their children based on the physical features of the land.
Today, many people with the surname Harnis continue to live in Germany, although some have spread to other countries such as the United States. Those living in the U.S. may have changed the spelling of their name to Harrison in order to blend in better with the culture.
Variations of the surname Harnis
The surname Harnis is mainly found in The Netherlands and nearby regions. Its variants include Hernisse, Harnisse, Harnisz, Harnix, Harnixe, Harnes, Harnesten, Harnen and Harness. All of these spellings ultimately derive from the Old French term hernest, meaning “armoury.”
Hernisse is a common Dutch variation of the surname, while Harnisse is its French spelling. Harnisz is an archaic version of the spelling found in Dutch records, while Harnix and Harnixe are archaic renditions found in French records.
The English spelling of the surname is Harnes or Harness, derived from the Old French hernest. Harnesten is the Friesian variant of the name, while Harnen and Harnes are the English forms. All of these spellings have the same origin and often refer to the same family.
The surname is thought to have originated with an ancestor who worked as an armorer or weaponsmith. This likely explains why the spelling is associated with the word armoury. The popularity of the name among families in The Netherlands can be attributed to the fact that armory was an important industry during the Middle Ages, when The Netherlands was an area of great commercial and military activity.
In summary, the surname Harnis is derived from the Old French term hernest, meaning “armoury”. Variants of the name include Hernisse, Harnisse, Harnisz, Harnix, Harnixe, Harnes, Harnesten, Harnen and Harness. All of these spellings have the same origin and are often interchangeable.
Famous people with the name Harnis
- Everett Harnis: American actor and model
- April Harnis: American actress
- Henry Harnis: American politician
- Mona Harnis: American figure skater
- Emerson Harnis: American singer-songwriter
- Daisy Harnis: American musician
- Paul Harnis: Spanish actor
- Prada Harnis: American fashion designer
- Wilbur Harnis: American marathon runner
- Zander Harnis: American author and entrepreneur