Ardeghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Ardeghan surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person with a tough character or perhaps for a person who would be strenuous and complete in their endeavors. The name is derived from the Old English words heard, which meant hard, and mann, which meant man. In keeping with this meaning, Hardiman was the first practical powered exoskeleton, by General Electric in 1965. There is another explanation for the origin of the name; it could be occupational, and be derived from the Old English heord, which meant herd, and could refer to the occupation of cowherd or shepherd. The records of the name found in Lancashire seem to follow this form. This makes this name a good example of an English polygenetic name; that is, a name with more than one origin taken on by unrelated groups of people. And yet another source claims the name was a nickname for "a man of courage and bravery." 1

Early Origins of the Ardeghan family

The surname Ardeghan was first found in Yorkshire where by far the most early records of the name was found. In this case, the "surname is derived from an occupation as in 'the servant of Hardy'." 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list the following: Henricus Hardyman; Radulfus Hardyman and Ricardus Hardyman. "Every town in Yorkshire has one or two Hardmans in its directory, which is the settled modern form." 2

Early History of the Ardeghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ardeghan research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1575 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Ardeghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ardeghan Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ardeghan has been spelled many different ways, including Hardman, Hardeman, Hardyment, Hardymen, Hardiman and others.

Early Notables of the Ardeghan family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ardeghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ardeghan family to Ireland

Some of the Ardeghan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ardeghan family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ardeghans to arrive in North America: John Hardeman, who settled in Barbados in 1685; Edward Hardman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1698; Phillip Hardman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772; Edward, John, Michael, Richard, Thomas and William Hardman all arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1840..

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)