Harvey Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Harvey last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Harvey last name
Meaning of the Harvey last name: from the Breton personal name Haerveu ("battle worthy"). Harvey comes from the Breton personal name Haerveu, from haer, "battle", and vy, "worthy". Bretons who came with William the Conqueror were rewarded with lands in many English counties, and Breton personal names such as Alan and Harvey spread with them; medieval records show the name as Hervi and Herveus from the 11th century, later Hervey and Harvey. It is spread through southern England and East Anglia, and is especially common in Cornwall and Devon. William Harvey, the physician who described the circulation of the blood in 1628, was born in Folkestone. In Scotland Harvie is the usual spelling, and in Ireland Harvey also anglicized Ó hAirmheadhaigh. Many Harveys emigrated to the American colonies, Canada and Australia.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Harvey name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Harvey name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Ireland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Harvey name FAQ
What does the Harvey name mean?
From the Breton personal name Haerveu ("battle worthy"). Common variants include Hervey, Harvie, Hervé.
Where does the Harvey surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Ireland.
Is there a Harvey coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Harvey crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Harvey coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.