![]() The Battle of Hastings as depicted by the Bayeux Tapestry | |
Pronunciation | hɑː(ɹ)vi |
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Origin | |
Word/name | Breton |
Meaning | Battle worthy, blazing iron |
Region of origin | Brittany |
Other names | |
Variant form(s) | Hervey, Hervie, Harvie |
Nickname(s) | Harv |
Related names | Hervé |
Harvey is an English and Scots family and given name derived from the Old Breton personal name Huiarnviu (or Aeruiu), derived from the elements hoiarn, huiarn (modern Breton houarn) meaning "iron" and viu (Breton bev) meaning "blazing".[1] An alternative elemental derivation has been theorized in which origination is from haer + vy meaning "battle/carnage worthy".[2] It is related to Old Welsh Haarnbiu.[1] An altogether separate origin in Ireland has been theorized where Harvey is an anglicization of the Gaelic personal name Ó hAirmheadhaigh, which is itself possibly related to the name of a mythical physician, Airmheadh.[2]