The Harriman/Herriman Family Tree
How the Name Changed
We understand that the name was originally Harriman, and originated somewhere in Cumberland, in the north of England, near the Scottish border. Benjamin and Catherine migrated somewhere around 1800 - 1815 to settle in the State of Maine, USA. It was through registration for land that the name was spelt as Herriman, and was thereafter spelt that way.
Possibly the difference between the sound of the English pronunciation was what caused the change, The American language throwing a different accent on the 'E' and the 'A', and it was written in the records as it sounded to the writer at the time. Much also depended on the literacy of the writer at the time. Education did not have a very high priority for most people, even those doing clerical work.
Last revised: October 04, 2007.