Harris
/ˈhærɪs/noun
A surname and given name, originally meaning “son of Harry” or “son of Henry.”
Did you know?Harris is a patronymic surname, so its meaning comes from lineage rather than a mystical root—but it ultimately traces back to Henry, from Germanic words meaning “home” and “power.”
Etymological Timeline
Old High German
OHG
Heimirich
“A personal name meaning “home-ruler” or “ruler of the household””
Old French
OF
Henri
“The French form of the Germanic personal name”
Middle English
ME
Harry
“A common medieval English form of Henry”
Middle English
ME
Herryes / Harris
“Patronymic surname meaning “son of Harry””
Modern English
English
Harris
“A surname and given name”