Harkness (surname)

Harkness is a Scottish surname. Its etymology is probably from the Old English personal name Hereca (a derivative of the various compound names with the first element here army) plus the Old English næss headland, cape

The name comes from hidden origins and is first recorded along the Cumbrian border (1350), and by the 15th century they were firmly established in Nithsdale area of Dumfriesshire. James Harkness of Locherben led the rescue in 1684 of a group of Covenanters who were being taken for trial in Edinburgh. For this act his brother was hanged the following year.

Tartans

There are two tartans that are recognized for the Harknesses of Nithsdale clan. One is the traditional red, and the other is the "ancient" blue. Both tartans were created by Harvey Harkness Rulien in 1982.

Family name

People with the surname include:

• Alistair Harkness - an Australian politician
• Anna M. Harkness - an American philanthropist
• Daniel Harkness - an Australian compositor and motion graphics designer
• Craig Harkness - a Scottish graphic designer
• David Harkness - Prominent Irish Historian specializing in Modern Irish History
• Douglas Harkness - a Canadian politician
• David (Davy) Harkness aka 'Harko' - Groundsman at Somerset Park, home of Ayr United Football Club, from 1978–Present
• Edward Harkness - an American philanthropist
• Lamon V. Harkness - an American business and important Standardbred horse breeder
• Stephen V. Harkness - best friend and business partner of John D. Rockefeller
• Charles W. Harkness - namesake of Harkness Tower at Yale University
• Georgia Harkness - an American Christian theologian
• H. W. Harkness – an American mycologist and natural historian
• Jack Charles Harkness - DJ
• Jack Leigh Harkness - an English expert on roses who wrote several books on their care and breeding.
• James Harkness - mathematician
• Keith Harkness - Irish Entrepreneur and Management for a Blue Chip Company
• Kenneth Harkness - manager of the United States Chess Federation.
• Nancy Harkness Love - an American pilot
• Ned Harkness - a college and NHL coach
• Rebekah Harkness - founder of the Harkness Ballet
• Robert Harkness - an English geologist
• Ruth Harkness - American fashion designer and socialite who brought the first giant panda to the western world.
• William L. Harkness - inherited Standard Oil
• Harkness Nelson Matteson - H. N. "Bud" Matteson, mechanical engineer and expert outdoorsman

Fictional characters with the name:

• Agatha Harkness - a witch in the Marvel Comics universe
• Horace Harkness - a naval officer in the 'Honorverse'
• Captain Harkness - Captain of the torchship Mayflower in Farmer in the Sky, by Robert A. Heinlein
• Captain Jack Harkness, one of the main protagonists in the fictional television series Torchwood and a companion of the television series Doctor Who.
• George "Digger" Harkness aka Captain Boomerang - a supervillain from the DC Comics universe
• Harkness - Rivet City security officer in the video game Fallout 3

References

• Ancestry.com name meaning