Show ContentsHeardmand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Heardmand

What does the name Heardmand mean?

The founding heritage of the Heardmand family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Heardmand comes from when one of the family worked as a guardian of cattle or sheep. The surname Heardmand is derived from the Old English word hierdeman, which means herdman.

Early Origins of the Heardmand family

The surname Heardmand was first found in Norfolk, where Osbert Hirdam was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. A few years later, Simon le Hyrdeman was found in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1181 and John le Herdman, Walter Herdman were found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1

The Herder variant is very rare but in this case, Nicholas le Herder was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327; and John Hurder was listed in Somerset in 1333. The name is derived from the Middle English word "herden," or "hurdern," literally meaning "to take care of, to tend," from the word "herdman." 1

Early History of the Heardmand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heardmand research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1268, 1272, 1273, 1307, 1524, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Heardmand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heardmand 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. Heardmand has been spelled many different ways, including Herdman, Herdsman, Hurdman, Heardman, Herder, Hearden, Herden, Hirdman and many more.

Early Notables of the Heardmand family

Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heardmand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heardmand family to Ireland

Some of the Heardmand family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 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 Heardmand 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 Heardmands to arrive in North America: Lawrence Herder,who settled in Newfoundland in 1706; John Erdman who sailed to Philadelphia in 1737; G. Herder in Texas in 1836; Philip Hearden to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1851.



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


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