Hartistray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Hartistray belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their 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 Hartistray family

The surname Hartistray 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 Hartistray family

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

Hartistray Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Hartistray include Hardisty, Hardesty, Hardistry, Hardest and others.

Early Notables of the Hartistray family

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

Migration of the Hartistray family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hartistray were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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)