Harling

The surname "Harling" is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have originated in England during the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the village of Harling in Norfolk, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Harlinga". The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "hara" meaning "hare" and "inga" meaning "people of", suggesting that the name may have originally referred to the people living in an area associated with hares.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Harling" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk from 1198, where a Robert de Harlinge is mentioned. The name also appears in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1292, where a John de Harling is listed as holding land in the county.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Sir Robert Harling, a member of the English gentry and a prominent landowner in Norfolk. He is mentioned in various historical records from the period, including the Close Rolls of 1343 and the Patent Rolls of 1349.

During the 15th century, the name "Harling" can be found in the Register of the Freemen of York from 1459, which lists a William Harlyng as a freeman of the city. Around the same time, a John Harling is recorded in the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence from the wealthy Paston family of Norfolk, dated between 1422 and 1509.

In the 16th century, one notable figure was William Harling, a merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in York, who lived from around 1510 to 1586. Another individual of note was John Harling, a Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in Norwich in 1555 during the Marian Persecutions under the reign of Queen Mary I.

Moving into the 17th century, the name appears in various records, including the Visitation of Norfolk from 1613, which mentions a family of Harlings who were members of the landed gentry in the county. Additionally, a Robert Harling is listed as a member of the Virginia Company, which was responsible for the establishment of the Virginia colony in North America in the early 1600s.

The surname "Harling" has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history, including the 19th century English author and poet Robert Harling (1810-1896), and the 20th century Australian politician and member of parliament, Frank Harling (1892-1962). The name has also been associated with various places, such as the village of Harling in Norfolk, which has retained its name since the 11th century.