A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haris family of England.
Reg. 1434 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three crescents ar. a bordure or”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
Where the Haris Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Haris arms are recorded
The Haris arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Haris arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Haris Family in England
The surname Haris is a variant of the name Harris, which originated as a patronymic meaning son of Harry. During the medieval period, Harry was the common English form of the name Henry. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region during a time of significant social and economic change in England. Many families in Devon at this time were involved in agriculture, maritime trade, or the growing wool industry. The spelling of the name often shifted between Haris and Harris in parish registers because spelling was not standardized until much later. These early settlers helped shape the local communities of the West Country, leaving behind a legacy that can still be traced through regional historical documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Henry
Derived from the Germanic name Heimirich meaning home ruler.
This name
HarisA patronymic surname meaning son of Harry, a medieval English form of Henry.
also spelled
Harys
Harry
Harrys
Related arms
Harry, alias Henryvariant spelling
Harrysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
