The Lavender Cart

Harper
Variants Harper, Harpur, Harpour, Harpur, Harp.
The harper was one of the most important
figures of the mediaeval baronial hall, especially
in Scotland and the North of England and the
office of the Harper was sometimes hereditary.
This name is of Anglo-Celtic origin and is
popular throughout England, Ireland, Scotland
and Wales. It is found in many mediaeval
manuscripts in the above islands. Examples of
such are a Henry atte Harpur, Cambridge, who
was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls' , England, in
the year 1273 and a Isabella Herpour, was
recorded in the 'Poll Tax', of the West Riding of
Yorkshire, in the year 1379. In Scotland some
district lands were attached to the office as
shown by the place names Croit a Chlarsair, 'the
Harpers Croft', in the Parish of Kiltarlity, near
Dundonald, Ayrshire and elsewhere. In Ireland
the name is usually spelt Harpur, and was
introduced there from Scotland centuries ago.