Hartan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Hartan

What does the name Hartan mean?

As a surname, Hartan is thought to be derived from the place named Harden in West Yorkshire. The place name in turn is derived from the Old English words "hara," or "hare," and "denu," or "valley." 1

Early Origins of the Hartan family

The surname Hartan was first found in Roxburghshire where one of the first records of the name was "John de Hardene of the county of Roxburghe rendered homage [to King Edward I] in 1296." 2 In Scotland, the family claim Harden in Roxburghshire as their ancient homestead. Other early record list Ricaraus de Harden as selling a horse in 1312 and William of Harden was "custumar" of Dundee in 1359. 2

Harden is a hamlet, in the parish of Bingley, union of Keighley, Upper division of the wapentake of Skyrack, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 3

One of the first records of the family was of Ricardus de Hareden who was listed in Wiltshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The "Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III" listed Henry de Hardene in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of Edward I's reign) and William de Hardene in Sussex.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings of the family: Willelmus de Hardeyn; and Adam de Hardeyn. 4

Early History of the Hartan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hartan research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1512 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hartan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hartan Spelling Variations

Although the name, Hartan, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Harden, Hardene, Hardin, Hardon and others.

Early Notables of the Hartan family

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

Migration of the Hartan family to Ireland

Some of the Hartan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hartan family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Hartan family name Hartan, or who bore a variation of the surname were William Hardin, who settled in Virginia in 1663; John Harden settled in Nevis in 1654; Thomas Harden settled in St. Christopher in 1635; John Hardon settled in Virginia in 1635..

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)