A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harison family of England.
Reg. 4936 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. an eagle displ. and a chief or”
Englandc. 1568
Where the Harison Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Harison arms are recorded
The Harison arms were recorded in England, c. 1568.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Harison 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 England.
Origin & History of the Harison Family in England
The surname Harison, which translates literally to "son of Harry," emerged as a common patronymic name in England during the late Middle Ages. By the mid-16th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Harison family were living and working in this region by 1568. At that time, York was a bustling center for trade and religious life, and families like the Harisons were often integrated into the local merchant classes or skilled labor guilds. As the name grew in popularity, it spread from these northern hubs across the country, eventually becoming a staple of English naming traditions. The family’s early roots in York reflect the broader movement of people who settled in established urban centers to pursue new opportunities during the Elizabethan era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Henry
Germanic name meaning home ruler or ruler of the enclosure.
This name
HarisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Harry or son of Henry.
also spelled
Haryson
Harryson
Related arms
Harrysonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1568
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
