Harper (surname)
Harpers in this Wiki:
Origin
The story of the name Harper reaches back through Scottish history to the kingdom of Dal Riada which encompassed an area of western Scotland and the very tip of Northern Ireland. The name is first recorded in Lennox, Scotland, but surely existed in other areas of Scotland, Ireland, and England at around the same time as it evolved as a name for a person who worked as harpist.
In ancient times (circa 600-900 B.C.), the harper was considered an important figurehead whereby the Irish/Gaelic Brehon Laws stated that the elegance and music of the harp "deserved" a noble status.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Harper, Harpur, Harpar, Harepur and others.
Motto
Et sauvis et fortis - translation, Pleasant and Brave
American Settlers
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Harper who was a resident of Virginia in 1607 and 1608. Another John settled in the same colony in 1642. Patrick Harper settled in Virginia in 1653. In Newfoundland, Anthony Harper, was a servant of Oderin, about 1730.
Harpers of Note
- Edward Harper (b. 1941), English composer
- James Harper (b. 1795, d. 1869), American publisher
- John Harper (b. 1797, d. 1875), American publisher
- Joseph Wesley Harper (b. 1801, d. 1870), American publisher
- Fletcher Harper (b. 1806, d. 1877), American publisher
- Jessica Harper (b. 1949), American actress
- Tess Harper (b. 1950), American actress
- Valerie Harper (b. 1940), American actress
