Hardistey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Hardistey name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the village of Hardisty Hill located in the parish of Fewston, in the county of Yorkshire. In it's Old English form this place-name was originally Hardolfsty with its origin in the name Hardulf. "The Hardistys hail from the parish of Fewston, seven miles from Otley. The name is still familiar there, and Hardisty Hill is a spot there. The Hardistys (chiefly farmers) have probably not moved from their home for six centuries." 1

Early Origins of the Hardistey family

The surname Hardistey was first found in Yorkshire, where the first record was of John de Hardolfsty who was listed as a Freeman of York in 1379. Later, William Hardosty was listed as a freeman in 1450 and John Hardesty was later listed as freeman in 1659. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include entries for Johannes de Hardolfsty and Stephanus de Hardolfsty. "These instances come from Timble Great (Villa de Tymble), a village in the parish of Fewston. The little stock has ramified well. Many of our largest represented surnames hail from a single pair located in a small spot. A large family of boys, who marry, and beget boys, soon sets the ball rolling." 1

Early History of the Hardistey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hardistey research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1379 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Hardistey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hardistey Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Hardistey has undergone many spelling variations, including Hardisty, Hardesty, Hardistry, Hardest and others.

Early Notables of the Hardistey family

More information is included under the topic Early Hardistey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hardistey family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Hardistey were among those contributors: George Hardest, who sailed to Virginia in 1651 and John Hardisty to Maryland in 1813.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)