The surname of ARRISON was of Welsh origin, descendant of Harry, a pet form of Henry. This surname was the Middle English version of Henry, rarer than its derivative Harris. Early records of the name mention William Harrys of the County of Oxfordshire in 1406. Lawrence Harryes of the County of Hertfordshire in 1468. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when Old English personal-names were rapidly superseded by the new christian names introduced by the Normans. Of these, only a few were really popular and in the 12th century this scarcity of christian names led to the increasing use of surnames to distinguish the numerous individuals of the same name. Some Normans had hereditary surnames before they came to England, but there is evidence that surnames would have developed in England even had there been no Norman Conquest. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each person owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized, and it became official that each individual acquired exact identification. Both Harris and Harrison are extremely common English surnames; the former tends to be more common in the West Midlands and South West England, whereas the latter is commonest in the North of England. A large and influential American family are descended from Benjamin Harrison, who emigrated from England to Virginia in 1633 or 1634. Ancestors include another Benjamin Harrison (1726-91) who was an activist in the American Revolution and a signatory of the Declaration of Independance. His son William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) and great grandson Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) both became president of the United States. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. The arms were registered at Poston, County Hereford.