Hartistay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Hartistay has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family 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 Hartistay family

The surname Hartistay 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 Hartistay family

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

Hartistay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hartistay have been found, including Hardisty, Hardesty, Hardistry, Hardest and others.

Early Notables of the Hartistay family

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

Migration of the Hartistay family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hartistay, or a variant listed above: 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)