What is "harkness"

Harkness is a Scottish surname. Its etymology is probably from the Old English personal name Hereca (a derivative of the various compound names with the first element here army) plus the Old English næss headland, cape. The name is first recorded along the Cumbrian border (1350). By the 15th century they were firmly established in Nithsdale area of Dumfriesshire. James Harkness of Locherben led the rescue in 1684 of a group of Covenanters who were being taken for trial in Edinburgh. For this act his brother was hanged the following year.

Harkness may refer to:

• Harkness (surname)
• The Harkness Ballet
• Rosa 'Anne Harkness', a rose variety
• Harkness Tower, a Gothic structure at Yale University
• Harkness table, a style of teaching
• Harkness Fellowship, an international health policy fellowship
• Harkness Co-op, a co-operative living and eating establishment at Oberlin College
• Jack Harkness, a fictional character in the BBC series Doctor Who and Torchwood
• Harkness Memorial State Park, a 230-acre park and mansion in Waterford, Connecticut