Harkavy is a Jewish surname. Variants in Russian language include Garkavy/Garkavyi, ru:Гарькавый) and Gorkavy. The Dictionary of American Family Names suggests that the surname is derived from the Belarusian word 'harkavyj' for a person who pronounces uvular R instead of voiced alveolar trill R In fact a derogatory epithet for a Jew is "гаркавы", or "burry". Another meaning of the Belarusian word "гаркавы" is "slightly bitter".