Tardif History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of notable family names, including that of the distinguished Tardif family. Originally, the people in this region went by one (personal) name. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. These names then began to become "fixed" or hereditary between the generations. One of the types of names adopted as surnames were those derived from nicknames. Nicknames, or "eke-names," were an added name that generally reflected some physical characteristics or other attribute of the person that used the name. The Tardif surname derives from the Old French word "tardif," meaning "slow;" and as such was a nickname for a sluggish person.

Early Origins of the Tardif family

The surname Tardif was first found in Berry, a former province until 1790 when it became a region in central France where this eminent family held a family seat in the honor of the seigneurie of Bordesoulle.

"Guillotus Tardivel more than once appears in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of the end of the twelfth century." 1

Early History of the Tardif family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tardif research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1810 is included under the topic Early Tardif History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tardif Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tardiff, Tardif, Turdif, Turdiff, Terdif and many more.

Early Notables of the Tardif family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

General Etienne Tardif of Berry

Tardif World Ranking

In the United States, the name Tardif is the 8,785^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Tardif is ranked the 385^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,098 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Tardif is the 121^st popular surname. 4 France ranks Tardif as 1,499^th with 3,905 people. 5

Tardif migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tardif Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Jacques Tardif, who arrived in Quebec from Normandy in 1669
Jacques Tardif, son of Pierre and Barbe, who married Barbe D'Orange, daughter of Pantaléon and Jeanne, in Quebec on 6th October 1669 6
Guillaume Tardif, son of Olivier and Barbe, who married Louise Dubois, daughter of Pierre and Françoise, in Quebec on 16th April 1679 6
Michel Tardif, son of Jacques and Barbe, who married Catherine L'Espinay, daughter of Jean and Catherine, in Beauport, Quebec on 27th February 1696 6

Tardif Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

François Tardif, son of Guillaume and Louise, who married Geneviève Giroux, daughter of Michel and Thérèse, in Beauport, Quebec on 22nd November 1712 6
Charles Tardif, son of Guillaume and Marguerite, who married Geneviève Le Roy, daughter of Pierre and Marie-Anne, in L'Ange-Gardien, Quebec on 17th February 1716 6
Joseph Tardif, son of Guillaume and Marguerite, who married Marguerite Letartre, daughter of Charles and Marie, in L'Ange-Gardien, Quebec on 7th November 1718 6
Pierre Tardif, son of Guillaume and Marguerite, who married Geneviève Blouin, daughter of Médéric and Marie, in L'Ange-Gardien, Quebec on 16th November 1722 6
René Tardif, son of Michel and Catherine, who married Marie-Françoise Tessier, daughter of Mathieu and Margeurite, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 27th July 1723 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tardif Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

W J Tardif, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Contemporary Notables of the name Tardif (post 1700) +

Thomas A. Tardif, American politician, Mayor of Laconia, New Hampshire, 1990-92 7
Michael Tardif, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Michigan, 2008; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 2008 7
Archie L. Tardif, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New Hampshire State Senate 6th District, 1956 7
Dr. Jean Tardif, Dental Surgeon
Cheryl Kaye Tardif (b. 1963), Canadian mystery writer
Claudette Tardif (b. 1947), Canadian senator from Alberta
Patrice Tardif (b. 1970), Canadian professional ice hockey center in the NHL
Marc Tardif (b. 1949), Canadian ice hockey left winger
Chris Tardif (b. 1981), English footballer currently playing for Oxford United

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html