Harper (surname)
Harpers in this Wiki:
Contents
Origin
The story of the name Harper reaches back through Scottish history to the kingdom of Dalriada. It evolved as a name for a person who worked as a person who occupies the role of "harper." In ancient times the harper was considered an important figurehead whereby 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.
First found in Lennox, Scotland, where they were seated from early times.
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.
Motto
Et sauvis et fortis - translation, Pleasant and Brave
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
