Harrison

Harrison meaning

Harrison is an international boy's name of English origin (from Germanic).

Son of Harry (Henry), "ruler of the house"

Also used to mean: son of Henry

Harrison is an English surname meaning "Harry's son". In the Middle Ages Henry was usually pronounced Harry, and the Online Etymology Dictionary notes the view of the scholar Ernest Weekley that the great number of Harris and Harrison surnames proves it. Henry itself goes back to Old High German Heimerich, "ruler of the house", from heim, "home", and a word for a ruler. Like Jackson and Jameson, it is one of the "son of" surnames now used as first names. Famous bearers include two American presidents, and the actor Harrison Ford. It is easy for Indian families to say, and Harry makes a friendly short form.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Harry · entry Harry · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Harry · Online Etymology Dictionary, Henry

Famous namesakes

• Harrison Ford, American actor

Popularity abroad

• #116 United States, boys 2025 (up 5 from 121 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #50 England and Wales, boys 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Harrison · Harrisson

Related names

Also meaning leader

Also starting with Har-

More names of English origin

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