A male name. (Latin Henricus, German Heinrich, Heinz, Heine, Dutch Hendrik, French Henri, Italian Enrico, Spanish Enrique); Old German Haimirich, compound of haimi ‘house’, ‘home’, and ricja ‘rule’. This was latinized as Henricus and became Henri in French. There are five tenants of this name in Domesday Book, and the eight King Henry's in the 11th to 16th C are some measure of the popularity of the name in the Middle Ages, a popularity which has fluctuated very little since. The French Henri in English pronunciation became Harry, and Harry or Herry was the usual English form of the name until the 17th C. At the present time Harry is often regarded as a mere pet-form of Henry instead of the right English version of the name. The surnames derived from the various forms of this name are very numerous, including Henry, Henryson, Harris, Harrisson, Harries, Herries, Henderson, Hendry; Hawke Hawkins, &c., are from Halkin, the diminutive of Hal, a favourite pet-form of Henry; Herriot is from the diminutive Henriot, (English Herriot).

Henricus Domesday Book 1086, Curia Regis Rolls 1187-1330. Hanry Hundred Rolls 1273, Testa de Neville, or Book of Fees, temp. Hen. III-Edw. I 13th C. Henry or Hanry Testa de Neville, or Book of Fees, temp. Hen. III-Edw. I 13th C. Harry or Herry 15th C Brut. Hrery Lincs 1459. Hary Cocke Lorelle's Bote c. 1515.