This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Harry,' this being the English attempt at pronouncing the French Henri. Thus Harry is not a nick, of Henry, but the English representative form. Hence our endless Harrisons, not Henrysons. All our kings were popularly known as Harry in their own times. The practice of styling them Henry is quite modern. The feminine Henrietta dates only from the Stuart period, while Harriot or Harriet was in use early enough to become a surname. One or two Henriots occur, but they are quite exceptional. The many columns of Harrises and Harrisons in our directories testify to the great popularity of the name six and seven centuries ago. The first Harry was born on English ground, and for that reason was more favourably regarded than the Conqueror's elder sons (v. Freeman's Norman Conq.) It is interesting to note that Hanry was a common early form of entry, being a kind of half-stage between the French Henri and English Harry.

Hanry Carpenter, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John Hanry, Buckinghamshire, ibid.

Henry, or Hanry le Notte, Warwickshire: Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Henry, or Hanry de Rokeley, Warwickshire: ibid.

Reginald Herryerson. History of Norfolk.

John Harris, or Harries: Register of the University of Oxford.

1547-8. Edward Broke and Anne Harrys: Marriage Lic. (London).

'son of Harry,' a form of Henry, which see. A surname more English than Scottish.

Chalmers says the old family of this name were probably a branch of the Anglo-Norman family of Heriz of Nottinghamshire, and came into Scotland in the train of David I. William de Heriz, first of the name recorded in Scotland, appears as witness to charters by Earl Henry, David I, William the Lion, Walter the Steward, etc. Several other individuals of this name also appear in Scotland in the twelfth century but their relationship is not clear. The first authentic information commences with William de Heriz of the county of Dumfries who took the oath of fealty to England in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 185). Since the middle of the fourteenth century the leading family of this name has been identified with Galloway. Richard Hereis had a gift from Robert I of the lands of Elstaneferd in the sheriffdom of Edinbergh (RMS., I, App. II, 268). David de Herice de Dery witnessed a confirmation charter of the Mill of Conweth, 1461 (RAA., II, 138), and Donald Heriss, M.A., of St. Andrews diocese, appears in 1464 (REB., II, 106). Harbert of Herys of Tarreglys had a safe conduct into England, 1424 (Bain, IV, 942). Some of this name appear in Banff in the fifteenth century. David Heris was bailie of Finlay Ramsay of Bamff, 1483, Margaret Hirys was one of the heirs of deceased Andrew Heris, 1496, and Robert Herys granted a charter there in 1498 (Bamff, p. 33, 37, 39). Alexander Hereiss of Wester Craig and John Herreiss were witnesses to an instrument by Master Alexander Ramsay, 1534, and Elen Heres was infeft in the one-sixth part of the lands of Owchtyreleth in 1533 (ibid., p. 61, 64). Richard Hereis was apparent of Mabie, 1604 (Retours, Kirkctulbright, 56). Haries 1686, Heris 1262, Herreis 1587, Herreise 1451, Herres 1580, Herrice 1365, Heryce 1405, Heyres 1438.

From Henry, through Harry, and thence Harrison. "It is in recent times only, that a Saxon Harris, equivalent to Harry's son, has been converted into the etymological mongrel of Fitz-Harris, which is almost as startling as Fitz-Harrison or Fitz-Thompson would be." Edinb. Rev., April, 1855.

A Norman race, probably from Heries in the arroudissement of Bayeux. They were settled in the S. of Scotl. from the XII. cent. and were, it is pretty certain, deduced from the Anglo-Norman family of Heriz, lords of Wiverton or Worton, co. Northampton. The elder line of Heriz or Herries ended in heirs female, in the XVI. cent., and the title of Lord H. was carried by the eldest co-heiress to the Lords Maxwell.

The son of Henry, which signifies rich lord.

Local: from Heries in Normandy. The family are descended from that of Heriz, Lords of Wiverton in Northamptonshire, and were settled in Scotland in the twelfth century-Sir Herbert Herries was created Lord Herries in 1439.

The son of Henry.