Surname Harvie - Meaning and Origin

Harvie: What does the surname Harvie mean?

The surname Harvie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Breton personal name Aeruiu or Haerviu. It is an Anglicization of the Gaelic name 'O'hAirmheadhaigh', which translates to 'descendant of Airmedach'. The elements 'air' and 'medach' imply 'esteem' and 'honorable' respectively. In this context, "Harvie" could mean 'highly esteemed' or 'highly honorable', suggesting that the original bearers were highly respected within their society. It's important to note that like many surnames, meaning can vary based on geographical region and historical context.

Harvie: Where does the name Harvie come from?

The surname Harvie has its roots in Scotland, where it originated from the Old English personal name Hereweald, which means 'army power'. It later transformed into Harvie in its modern form. This name is also believed to have been derived from the place name Hervi in Normandy, France, brought to England and Scotland by the Normans during the eleventh century.

The surname Harvie may also have some roots in Ireland, where it could have been anglicized from Ó hAirmheadhaigh, meaning the 'descendant of Airmheadhach'.

Today, the surname Harvie is still common in Scotland, particularly in areas like Lanarkshire and Angus. It is also found in England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As with many surnames, the migration and movement of people over generations have lead to a scattering of the Harvie surname across the globe. However, its greatest concentration remains mainly in countries with historical links to Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Harvie

The surname Harvie is originally of Old French origin and was introduced to Britain following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over the years, several variations, misspellings, and related surnames have been developed.

Variants and alternate spellings for the surname Harvie include Harvey, Harvy, Harvie, Hervey, Hervie, Harvye, Herveye, and Arvey. The name could also be subjected to phonetic misspellings, which essentially occur based on how the name sounds when spoken, leading to varied spellings by different individuals.

These different forms are primarily the result of regional accents and dialects, illiteracy and lack of standardized spelling practices until relatively recent history. Maintaining different spellings of the same original surname in different regions and branches of the family was common.

The surnames Harville, Harvell, Harville, Hervieux, and Arvet could be considered distant relatives of the surname, mainly due to the similar phonetics and potential roots in the same original surname.

It is also worth noting that the spelling of the surname might alter based on the country's language where the name bearer lives, their local dialect, or personal preference for a specific spelling. The surname's versions may differ in England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia, among other nations.

Various Jewish surnames might share the same or similar pronunciation, but they might not necessarily share the same origin or meaning with Harvie.

Famous people with the name Harvie

• Matthew Harvie: He is a well-known Canadian politician who is a member of New Democratic Party.
• Bruce Harvie: An Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.
• Anne Harvie: A fiction writer from Scotland, her books include the "Fraser" series.
• Ben Harvie: An ice hockey player from Australia who represented the country in International Ice Hockey Federation tournaments.
• Andy Harvie: He was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Queen's Park and St. Bernard's.
• Chris Harvie: A Scottish historian and writer, primarily known for his contributions to political and environmental history.
• Jamie Harvie: An award-winning American environmental consultant known for his work on sustainable healthcare and community health.
• Will Harvie: A journalist for The Press in Christchurch, New Zealand.
• David Harvie: A British author and anarchist known for his works on financial crises and social movements.
• Cecil Harvie: An English cricketer who played for Bedfordshire in the 1960s.
• Robert Harvie: He is a prominent lawyer based in Alberta, Canada who has served as a Justice on the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta.

Other surnames

HarvilleHarvit