Harper is an English surname derived from the Old English word “harpere”, which means harp player or maker. The name was likely given to those who played the harp or made harps for a living. Today, Harper is a fairly common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. Notable people with the surname Harper include author Harper Lee, musician Ben Harper, and politician Stephen Harper. The name has also been used as a first name for both males and females.