Find out how popular the last name Harla is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Harla.

Harla, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Harla surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Harla in America

Harla is the 122534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Harla surname appeared 130 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Harla.

The history of the last name Harla

The surname Harla is believed to have its origins in the British Isles, specifically in England during the early medieval period. The name is likely derived from a place name, which was a common practice at the time. The root of Harla can be traced back to Old English words, and it is thought to have originated from the words hār, meaning 'grey' or 'hoary,' and lēah, meaning 'wood' or 'clearing.' Hence, Harla could have originally referred to a person who lived near a grey wood or clearing.

The earliest documented references to the name Harla, or its variants, appear in medieval records and manuscripts. One notable early mention is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where similar names were recorded. This book serves as a crucial historical document, detailing the possessions and holdings in England following the Norman Conquest. Names similar to Harla are noted, though exact references need further scholarly research to distinguish specific mentions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Harla appears in the early 13th century. Thomas de Harla was mentioned in court rolls of 1221, showcasing the name's existence and use during that period. Variants of the name, such as Harlay and Harloe, were also found in various official documents, indicating slight regional spelling variations that were common before standardization of English spelling.

Another historical figure bearing the surname Harla was John Harla, a noted merchant in the 15th century. Born around 1450, John Harla played a significant role in trade within the London area and was listed in various trade records of the time. His involvement in the Guild of Mercers indicated his substantial influence in the economic activities during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, a notable individual with the surname was Sir Richard Harla, who was born in 1610. Sir Richard made his mark as a member of the English gentry and served as a local magistrate. His contributions to his community were recorded in various legal and civic records, further cementing the presence of the Harla surname in historical documents.

Moving into the 18th century, Anne Harla, born in 1723, was a recognized writer and poet of her time. Her works contributed to English literature, and she was acknowledged in several literary circles. Anne's poetry often reflected the pastoral life and familiar landscapes, which may have been inspired by her ancestral connection to the countryside implied by her surname.

In the 19th century, another notable Harla emerges—Edward Harla, born in 1804. Edward was an inventor and industrialist who made significant contributions to the early industrial revolution in England. His innovations in machinery and manufacturing processes were well regarded, and his patents are part of historical records of inventors from that era.

These individuals represent the diverse ways in which the Harla surname has surfaced throughout history, from medieval merchants and gentry to poets and inventors. The evolution of the surname reflects the broader patterns of English nomenclature, underlining its ancient roots and varied historical presence. Through these records, the legacy of the Harla name continues to be an intriguing subject of genealogical and historical interest.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Harla

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Harla.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Harla was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Harla was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Harla, please contact us.

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