Surname Harcla - Meaning and Origin

Harcla: What does the surname Harcla mean?

The surname Harcla is of ancient British origin and it doesn't have a specific meaning in modern English. It's believed to be of topographic origin, relating to a geographical area or the location of a person's dwelling or land. It may have been used to identify someone who lived in or near a certain area. The Harcla family was reputedly a significant feudal family in medieval times. The most famous bearer of the name is Sir Andrew de Harcla, also known as Andrew Harclay, a 14th century English military leader who played a crucial role in the Anglo-Scottish wars. However, it's important to note that many old surnames have meanings that are now lost or difficult to determine due to changes in language and records over time. Therefore, it can be challenging to assign a definitive meaning to the name Harcla.

Harcla: Where does the name Harcla come from?

The surname Harcla is of British origin, specifically from northern England. The name Harcla is believed to originate from the Manor of Hartley, in the parish of Kirkby Stephen in Westmorland County, located in the northwestern part of the country. It was first documented in the name of Sir Andrew de Harcla, who was an English soldier during the reign of Edward II in the early 14th Century.

After being accused of treason, Sir Andrew de Harcla's family name was extinguished as his possessions were seized and his family was disgraced. As a result, the surname Harcla is not common today and is considered extremely rare. Any contemporary instances of the name might potentially indicate a lineage dating back to the Harcla family from the Manor of Hartley, or could possibly originate from a different source altogether.

Variations of the surname Harcla

The surname Harcla is relatively rare and originates from the United Kingdom. It was notably borne by Sir Andrew Harcla, a 14th-century English knight, but he was executed and his name was proscribed, which may account for the name's scarcity. The surname could potentially have different variations based on spelling, dialect, or even due to simple transcription errors over time, which is common with many surnames.

However, due to the rarity and specific historical context of 'Harcla', there seems to be a lack of variations. Some potential alternates could include Harcle, Harclay, Harcklay, or Harckla, although there is no assurance these are directly linked to 'Harcla'.

The surname closest, and potentially linked, is Harclay, also originating from the United Kingdom. This is confirmed by reputable sources like House of Names (a commercial genealogy company) that directly relates Harcla and Harclay as alternatives of the same name rooted in Cumberland.

Additionally, since many surnames change when families move to foreign countries and adapt to new languages, it's possible there are alternate forms in other languages or regions. It would usually involve a phonetic adaptation, though, which is hard to predict without specific cases.

Famous people with the name Harcla

There seems to be not much information available on famous people with the last name Harcla. However, in historical context, Sir Andrew de Harcla, also known as Sir Andrew Harclay or Hartley, was a significant figure. He was an English soldier and statesman of the early 14th century, noted for his military service during the First War of Scottish Independence. He was executed for treating with the Scots and allegedly plotting to hand over Carlisle to the enemy, following which he was condemned as a traitor. His name and deed may not be widely known in popular culture but he left a significant mark in the historical records of the time.

Other surnames

Harclay