The name Harrison originated in the Middle Ages as an English surname derived from the medieval masculine name Harry, a pet form of Henry, combined with the common surname suffix "-son" meaning "son of". The name essentially meant "son of Harry" or "son of Henry".

The name Harry itself comes from the Germanic name Hariric, which was composed of the elements hari meaning "army" and ric meaning "ruler" or "power". The Normans introduced this name to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and it became a popular given name in medieval England, often used as a diminutive of Henry.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Harrison dates back to the 13th century in England. It was initially used as a surname to identify the son of someone named Harry or Henry, but over time, it transitioned into being used as a given name in its own right.

Some notable historical figures with the name Harrison include:

1. Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882), an English historical novelist known for works like "The Tower of London" and "Old St. Paul's".

2. Harrison Hagan Schmitt (1935-present), an American geologist, retired NASA astronaut, and the last person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

3. Harrison Reed (c. 1617-1670), an English Puritan minister and one of the founders of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut, United States.

4. Harrison Birtwistle (1934-2022), an English composer known for his operatic and instrumental works, including the operas "The Minotaur" and "The Last Supper".

5. Harrison Ford (1942-present), the famous American actor best known for his iconic roles as Han Solo in the Star Wars films and Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones film series.

While the name Harrison has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread and become a popular name in various English-speaking countries around the world, transcending its original use as a surname.