Harper Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Harper Name Meaning: Derived from Middle English, Middle Dutch & refers to a harpist, minstrel, harp maker or player.

One of the most important figures in a medieval baronial hall, the office of harper was sometimes hereditary.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Harper Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Harper family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,686
Agricultural Labourer 376
Labourer 164
House Servant 140
Dress Maker 111
Coal Miner 103
Laundress 64
Servant 64
General Servant 60
Carpenter 57
Blacksmith 56
House Keeper 54
Shoe Maker 50
Carter 48
House Maid 44
Tailor 44
Farmers Son 39
Farm Labourer 37
Gardener 34
Domestic Servant 34
Bricklayer 33
Cook 32
Butcher 31
Lace Maker 29
Miner 28

Harper Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Harper 100% 116,388
2 Harpur 83% 1,101
3 Horper 83% 839
4 Heraper 71% 155
5 Herper 83% 155
6 Harpour 71% 129

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The surname Harper is the most popular version of all its varients

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