Hercus is a Scottish surname. The name derives from "harecarres", a Border name for a boundary marker made of rock. Although this medieval place name has been found in three other sites in south-east Scotland, the six modern variations of the surname – Hercus, Herkes, Harcus, Harkes, Harkess and Arcus come from the fourth medieval site today called Harcarse, in the parish of Fogo, Berwickshire, Scotland.[1]
The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam de Harcarres, who in 1216, was elected Abbot of Newbattle and subsequently Abbot of Melrose. Alexander of Harcarse, knight, performed fealty to Edward I, king of England in 1297[2] and the arms of Harcarse of that Ilk [of Harcarse], are cited in the Scottish Arms 1370–1678.[3]
The name Hercas first appears in the Orkney Islands in the 1500s. Harcus is "the present Orkney spelling of Harcarse" according to George F. Black in "The Surnames of Scotland".[4] The names of Robert, Johnne, and George Hercas are named in the Respite of 1539 for complicity in connection with the Battle of Summerdale, 1529. The naming of three Hercas out of a total of thirty one, is indicative of the relative importance of the family at that time in Orkney.[5]
On 5 August 2011, a gathering of Hercus/Harcus and related surnames was held at The Lodge, Carfraemill, Lauder, Berwickshire, TD2 6RA, Scotland with attendees from Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, and the USA. At this gathering, the Flower of Scotland tartan was adopted as the Hercus tartan as no tartan was previously associated with this family name.
^Hercus, John and Ann (2017). One family, six names. Christchurch, New Zealand: John and Ann Hercus. p. 119. ISBN 9780473384463.
^"People of medieval Scotland 1093 – 1371". People of medieval Scotland 1092 - 1371.
^Stodart, R R (1881). Scottish Arms been a collection of Armorial Bearings AD 1370–1678. Edinburgh: William Paterson. p. 53.
^Black, George (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. London: New York Public library. p. 342. ISBN 1874744831.
^Scottish History Society (1914). Records of the Earldon of Orkney. T. and A. Constable. p. 60.
adopted as the Hercus tartan as no tartan was previously associated with this family name. Mike Hercus, American rugby union player Fred Hercus, Australian...
Dame Margaret Ann Hercus DCMG (née Sayers, born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand diplomat, politician and member of the Labour...
union. Hercus made his debut for the U.S. national team in 2002. Hercus played in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, scoring 51 points for the Eagles. Hercus played...
the scientist Graham Robertson Hercus, on 23 February 1955 (died 1974). Together they had one child, Iain Robertson Hercus, who obtained a doctorate in...
School of Medicine. The Hercus Building of the Dunedin campus, on the corner of Great King and Hanover Streets, is named for him. Hercus was appointed a Knight...
two subspecies belong to the species Hercus fontinalis: Hercus fontinalis flavens Townes & Gupta, 1992 c g Hercus fontinalis fontinalis g Data sources:...
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Hercules (/ˈhɜːrkjʊˌliːz/, US: /-kjə-/) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical...
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Studies Luise Hercus. Baagandji Grammar, ANU 1960; Paakantyi Dictionary (published with the assistance of AIATSIS, 1993) Luise Hercus. Paakantyi Dictionary...
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Muɹinypata Language of Northern Australia. The Australian National University. Hercus, Luise Anna (1994). A grammar of the Arabana-Wangkangurru language, Lake...
Simpson, Jane (eds.). Language, land and song: Studies in honour of Luise Hercus. EL Publishing. pp. 145–157. ISBN 978-0-728-60406-3. Some of these sources...
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names List of rock formations that resemble human beings Koch, Harold; Hercus, Luise (2009). Aboriginal Placenames: Naming and Re-Naming the Australian...
found in the Tasmanian languages across Bass Strait.[original research?] Hercus (1969), states that plosives are conditionally voiced. Fesl also excludes...
World Cup. Most penalties scored: Mike Hercus, 15 (2003 & 2007) Most points in a single tournament: Mike Hercus, 51 (2003) Most tries in a single tournament:...
Cups Todd Clever – 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups; former USA captain Mike Hercus (2008–2009) – 2003 and 2007 World Cups Shane Williams – 2003, 2007 and 2011...
The naming of Mount Wheeler, Central Queensland" (PDF). In Clark, Ian D; Hercus, Luise; Kostanski, Laura (eds.). Indigenous and minority placenames: Australian...
Campoplegine pupa, with empty skin of caterpillar it parasitised above it Hercus fontinalis larvae feeding on caterpillar The taxonomy of the ichneumonids...
Language, Land and Song: Studies in honour of Luise Hercus. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-728-60406-3. Hercus, L.A. (1969). Victorian languages: A late survey (PDF)...
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