Hardemynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Hardemynd

What does the name Hardemynd mean?

The name Hardemynd has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for 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 have been derived from the Old English heord, which meant herd, referring to the occupation of cowherd or shepherd as in Heardmann. 1 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." 2

Early Origins of the Hardemynd family

The surname Hardemynd was first found in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk where the early Latin form of the name Hardman(nus) was listed c. 1095. A few years later in the same local, Robert Hardman was recorded in 1188. 1

But we must look further to the north 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'." 3 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." 3

Early History of the Hardemynd family

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

Hardemynd 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 Hardemynd have been found, including Hardman, Hardeman, Hardyment, Hardymen, Hardiman and others.

Early Notables of the Hardemynd family

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

Migration of the Hardemynd family to Ireland

Some of the Hardemynd 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 Hardemynd 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 Hardemynd, or a variant listed above: 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..

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)