Show ContentsHartemyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hartemyn

What does the name Hartemyn mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Hartemyn comes from its first bearer, who was 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 Hartemyn family

The surname Hartemyn 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 Hartemyn family

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

Hartemyn Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hartemyn has been spelled many different ways, including Hardman, Hardeman, Hardyment, Hardymen, Hardiman and others.

Early Notables of the Hartemyn family

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

Migration of the Hartemyn family to Ireland

Some of the Hartemyn 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 Hartemyn family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hartemyns to arrive in North America: 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..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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