Surname de Harcla - Meaning and Origin
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de Harcla: What does the surname de Harcla mean?
The last name de Harcla is derived from the place name Harcla in North West England. It is an old English name derived from the Old Norse and Old English words "harra" meaning rocky height and "klaefe" meaning cliff face. It is believed that the original Harcla family had their roots in the village of Harcla.
The earliest recorded form of the name is Harcle found in the Wills of Lancashire in the year 1391. In the mid-15th century the name is recorded as Hureclay and Harclay. During this same time, de Harcla became established as a the family's surname.
The de Harcla family is believed to be descended from a Norman knight named Roger de Harcla or Harcly who served under King William of England during the 1153-1174 period. The family's fortunes were made by their strategic position and loyalty to the king who granted them land in Cumbria. This enabled them to grow and prosper.
The de Harcla family also participated in several notable battles including the Battle of Blore Heath in 1459 and the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. In 1618, Sir John de Harcla was instrumental in bringing a successful conclusion to a border dispute known as 'The Border Troubles'.
Today, the de Harcla name is still held by many prominent families in the UK and the US, a testament to the success of their ancestors. There are also many places called Harcla throughout both countries.
Order DNA origin analysisde Harcla: Where does the name de Harcla come from?
The last name de Harcla is primarily associated with England and Scotland. The name has its origins in the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when William the Conqueror granted de Harcla estates in Cumbria and Northumberland. It is believed that the family was initially named Hercla, which was then anglicised to Harcla as more Normans settled in England.
Today, this surname remains common in England and Scotland. This is largely due to the high degree of Norman influence that still exists in both countries. The remnants of Norman history are seen today in the form of many castles, churches and chapels that were constructed in the High Middle Ages.
The current spelling of the surname can also be attributed to its origins, as Normans would regularly change spellings and pronunciations to make them easier to pronounce. In the case of de Harcla, the e was added to the spelling to make it easier for English-speakers in the Middle Ages to pronounce.
The spelling of the surname, though similar, can vary slightly in different parts of the British Isles today. Throughout Scotland, the surname can be seen spelt as Harclay, or with the suffixes ‘e’ or ‘es’ added to the end. In the North West and North East of England, the spelling appears as de Harcla, Harcland, Harkla, Harclay or Harclo. Overall, the spelling is far from extinct and still has deep links with the Norman influence that has shaped so much of British history over the centuries.
Variations of the surname de Harcla
The surname de Harcla is an English name of Norman origin which typically refers to the Harclay family, descendants of the 11th century Norman noble, Robert FitzHugh who was of the Baronial family of Harlegh, near Calais. The variants of this surname include Harclay, Harclaye, Harklay, Harlay, Harlaye, Herclay, Harkley, Horkley, Harclee, and Herkley.
The Harclay family were established in the Cumberland region of England from the 12th century and held the construction of Carlisle Castle. The name saw some changes in spelling over the years, with some members of the family also taking the surname Harcourt, which was used by other branches of the Harcourt family.
The surname is also seen spelled as 'Harcel', and there are a few examples of the name being spelled as 'Harkle' and 'Harklee'. It has been suggested that these variants arose due to dialects which varied in different parts of the country.
The name Harcla has also extended to other surnames in other countries due to immigration and the changing of surnames for various reasons. These variants include Harkla (Greece), Harkal (Hungary), Harczyk (Poland) and Harkel (Netherlands).
Famous people with the name de Harcla
- John de Harcla (also known as Sir John Harcla): A powerful English courtier, diplomat and soldier during the reign of King Edward III. He is remembered in particular for his role in the treason trial of Sir Roger Mortimer in 1322 and in the aftermath of the execution of Thomas of Lancaster in 1322.
- William de Harcla: A 15th century Scottish statesman, who served as one of the first Scottish ambassadors to the English court of Henry VII. He was also present at the battle of Sauchiad with French forces opposing James III of Scotland in 1488.
- Joanna de Harcla: A Scottish noblewoman and Countess of Carrick who died in 1512. She was the daughter of William de Harcla and the wife of Thomas Stewart, Lord of Ochiltree.
- Thomas de Harcla: An English nobleman and claimant to the earldom of Carlisle who died in 1426. He was an illegitimate son of Sir Richard de Harcla, one of his father's most capable military commanders.
- James de Harcla: A Scottish knight and leader of the rebellion against King Robert the Bruce in 1306. He was captured and hanged by the Bruce at Carlisle Castle in 1307 after receiving his martial due.
- Alexander de Harcla: An 11th century English soldier and commander of forces at the Siege of Durham during the Anglo-Saxon Era. He commanded forces at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and was knighted by King William the Conqueror after the Normans successfully invaded.