http://www.sifnos.demon.co.uk/history.html Harper History (English) The surname "Harper" is derived from the Old English "Hearpere", Anglo-French "Harpour", "Harper, one who plays the harp". Early records mention Robert le Harpur who appears in Hampshire Pipe Rolls in 1186; Henry and Nicholas le Harpur in Cambridgeshire Hundred Rolls in 1273; Reginald le Harper, in Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls in 1275; and Rogerus and Wilhelmus Harper in Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns on 1379. Sir William Harper (1496? - 1573) became master of the Merchant Taylor's Company in 1553, sheriff of London in 1557 and Lord Mayor in 1561. He was knighted in 1562. He helped to found the Merchant Taylors' School. John Harper (dies 1742) was an actor, playing at important places such as Lincoln's Inn Fields and Drury Lane. He was prosecuted In a test action for vagrancy and was discharged in 1733. Thomas Harper (1787 - 1853), a trumpet-player, was engaged at Drury Lane and the Lyceum English Opera in 1806 and at Ancient Concerts and Italian Opera in 1821. He was appointed inspector of musical instruments to the East India Company. James Harper (1795 - 1879), a theologian, was for sixty years secession minister of North Leith. He was chairman of the synod in 1840, Secession Church professor of pastoral theology in 1843 and of systematic theology in 1848. He effected the union of the Secession and Relief bodies and became moderator of the United Presbyterian synod in 1860. John Harper (1809 - 1842), an architect, prepared designs for Apsley House and York House.