ðə nˈeɪm hˈɑːɹpɚ ɔːɹ hˈɑːɹpʊɹ ɪz mˈɛnʃənd ɚɹˈaʊnd wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd fˈaɪvhˈʌndɹɪd ɪn kənˈɛkʃən wɪð fˈæmɪliz fɹʌm bˈɛdfɚd ænd bˈɪdənˌæm.
The name Harper (or Harpur) is mentioned around 1500 in connection with families from Bedford and Biddenham.