Meaning & History
Harvey is an English given name derived from the Breton name Haerviu, meaning “battle worthy,” from haer “battle” and viu “worthy.” Alternatively, the name may come from a different Breton root: hoiarn (or huiarn, modern Breton houarn) “iron” and viu (Breton bev) “blazing,” giving a sense of “iron-blazing.” The latter etymology aligns with the Old Welsh cognate Haarnbiu.
The name is best known through Saint Hervé (also Latinized as Harvey), a 6th-century Breton hermit who is the patron saint of the blind. According to tradition, he was born blind and was carried by a wolf; he gained fame as a wonder-worker and poet. Settlers from Normandy and Brittany introduced the name to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. For a time it flourished, but it became rare by the late Middle Ages. The name was revived in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, alongside other medieval names.
Notable Bearers
A number of notable modern figures bear the name Harvey. Harvey J. Alter (born 1935) is an American medical researcher who won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Harvey Ball (1921–2001) created the ubiquitous yellow smiley face emoji. Other notable individuals include statesman Harvey Milk and actor Harvey Keitel. The surname Harvey also has distinguished bearers in sport, science, and the arts, detailed in the Harvey surname article.
Related Names
Variants include Harvie, Hervey, the Latinized Herve (Breton) and Hervé (French). The less common local short form Harve also exists.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Harvey (name)