Surname Harniss - Meaning and Origin
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Harniss: What does the surname Harniss mean?
The last name Harniss is of English origin. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word haeren, meaning "hare". This type of occupation name was used to identify a person who hunted or raised hares as an occupation. As such, the Harniss surname would have been used to denote a skilled hunter who often sold or traded his catch.
The primary area of influence for the Harniss surname is in Northeast England, Yorkshire, and Oxfordshire. It is also found in limited areas in the United States, but primarily in parts of the Midwest.
The Harniss surname was and is still used by people of different backgrounds and faith traditions. It is not uncommon to see the Harniss surname used by Protestants and Catholics, or by those adhering to the Jewish tradition.
As a whole, the last name Harniss generally signifies a person of English ancestry with a history of hunting, trading, or selling hares. This explains the long-standing connection between the name and the English regions in which it is found. With its varied history, the surname Harniss remains a testament to the ever-changing cultural milieu of the British Isles and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisHarniss: Where does the name Harniss come from?
Harniss is a surname that is primarily found in the United States. The name originates from central Europe, and it is likely derived from the Middle High German given name Arnold. In the United States, this last name is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions have the highest concentrations of Harniss families. In addition, the nearby areas of Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton all have significant populations of people with the last name Harniss.
In New Jersey, the most prominent locations are Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset counties, which all have a sizable population of Harniss families, although there are smaller enclaves throughout the state.
The name Harniss is not particularly common in many other areas, but a few families are scattered throughout the Midwest and South. In addition, there are small overseas populations of Harniss families in Australia and Europe, mainly from those of German descent who have emigrated.
Variations of the surname Harniss
The surname Harniss is of English origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the Harniss surname in the United States is Harnish, although it is also found spelled as Harnis and Harnises.
Harnes is a variant spelling which is mainly found in Europe, primarily in Germany. It is also found in other countries such as France and the Netherlands, but to a much lesser extent.
The surname Harrington is often confused with Harniss, however they are not related. Harrington is of Irish origin and is derived from a Gaelic personal name.
Harnests is another variant of Harniss and is more commonly found in the United States and Canada than in Europe. The spelling tends to be more prevalent in regions east of the Mississippi.
Harness and Harnesses are two variants of the Harniss surname that are found in both Europe and the United States. Other less common variants of the same surname are Herness, Hearniss, and Hournes.
Finally, the surnames Harnard and Harnart are related to the Harniss family and are primarily found in the United States. They are derived from a French surname which means "bear heart".
Famous people with the name Harniss
- David Harniss, a NASA engineer who has worked on multiple generation projects within the US space program, most recently the Manned Manoeuvring Unit.
- Jonathan Harniss, an American actor and producer known for his roles in movies such as Step Brothers and The Hangover Part II.
- Andrew Harniss, a composer and arranger of musical works including for the Broadway theatre production of Peter Pan.
- Peter Harniss, a successful Swedish businessman and investor.
- Else Harniss, a Danish actress who has starred in over 50 films and television series such as Skam, Autumn Sun and Silent Night.
- Joshua Harniss, a professor and researcher at the University of Toronto in the field of educational technology.
- Matthew Harniss, an American football player drafted in the NFL in 1997 and played three successful seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
- Sheena Harniss, an English professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour.
- Paul Harniss, an American photographer whose work has been featured in magazines such as Time, National Geographic, and Sports Illustrated.
- Ann Harniss, an Australian botanist who has published numerous articles about sea grasses and their role in coastal habitats.