Surname Hardies - Meaning and Origin
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Hardies: What does the surname Hardies mean?
The surname Hardies is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Old English name "Hearding". The name is a combination of two words "hard", which translates to "brave or hardy", and "ing" a suffix often used to mean "son of". Therefore, Hardies, which is a patronymic name, roughly translates to "son of the brave or hardy one". It after first emerged in Lanarkshire, a region in the central Lowlands of Scotland. Like many surnames, it evolved into different spellings over time such as Hardie, Hardy, Hardies, Hardey, and others. Surnames were often taken based on noteworthy characteristics, trades, or for identification purposes during the times of census and taxation. Thus, the surname Hardies may reflect the attributes or profession of an ancestor. It's important to note that surnames can potentially have multiple origins and interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisHardies: Where does the name Hardies come from?
The surname Hardies is believed to have originated from Scotland and England during the Middle Ages. The roots of the name can be traced back to the Old English word "heard," referring to a brave, strong, or hardy person. The name may also be interpreted as a pet form of the name Harding. It was initially used as a nickname before transforming into a surname.
In England, Scotland, and Ireland, the name was often possessed by soldiers and valiant fighters. Evolution of the name resulted in several variations including Hardy, Hardie, Hardye and others.
Today, Hardies remains more common in these British Isles nations. However, due to migration and diaspora, the Hardies surname has spread worldwide, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite the spread, places like Scotland and Northern England continue to have a higher prevalence of this surname.
Variations of the surname Hardies
The surname Hardies might have different spellings, variants and related surnames including Hardie, Hardy, Hardye, Hardee, Hardey, Hurdie, Hurdies, and Herdie. These variations are mainly due to geographic differences, dialects, and historic spelling inconsistencies.
The surname originates from the Old French personal name 'Hardi', meaning 'bold' or 'courageous.' It was brought to Britain by the Normans.
From this root, the surname can be traced to different regions, where it took on various spellings. For instance, in Scotland, 'Hardie' and 'Hardies' are prevalent, while in England, 'Hardy' is more common. In other regions, especially places like the United States and Australia, where immigrants often anglicised or simplified their names, further variations like 'Hardee' or 'Hardey' might be found.
Furthermore, 'Hardy' and its variants can also be of Irish origin, where it is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó hÁrdghaile, Ó hArdail, or Ó Ardghail.
Surnames can often branch into several different families with the same or a similar name, reflecting the language and spelling preferences of the time and place.
Famous people with the name Hardies
- Ben Hardies: British professional wakeboarder and skateboarder.
- Charlotte Hardie: contemporary wildlife artist.
- Michael Hardie Boys: New Zealand lawyer and former Governor-General of New Zealand from 1996 to 2001.
- Patrick Hardie: Scottish art critic and patron.
- John Hardies: Former soldier and president of Racing Victoria, Australia's premier racehorse controlling body.
- Martyn Hardie: Scottish ice hockey executive.
- Robert Hardies: Scottish business executive and philanthropist who served as chairman of the Clydesdale Bank.
- Alfonso Hardies: Chilean prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Gérard Hardies: Belgian sprinter and Olympic silver medalist.
- Alexander Hardies: Canadian actor and voice artist.