HARDS
The surname Hards is of English origin and can be traced to the British Isles, most notably England, where it arose in the medieval period.
It derives from the Old English word heard, which carries the meanings of “hard” or “strong”. As a personal name it was probably introduced as a nickname for an individual who displayed physical or mental toughness, or who held a stern or severe disposition. In other instances it may have been a descriptive label for someone who faced a difficult or challenging personality.
Throughout the Middle Ages the name appeared in a number of variants. Early spellings include Hard, Harde, Hardes, and the patronymic forms Hardison, Hardstone and Hardson. Such variations were common in medieval documents, where spelling was far from standardised.
Historical evidence for the surname dates back at least to the early twelfth century. The first recorded spelling is that of Gilbert del Hard, dated 1232 in the Calendar of the Patent Rolls during the reign of King Henry the First (1216‑1272). Further attestations appear in later documents: 1275 Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire contain the name Roger Hard; 1595 St Augurines Register of Watling Street lists Robert Hardson; 1782 Southwark Baptismal Register records Robert Hardison. A notable example from the early fifteenth century is Jone Hardsonge, who married William Billinge in the church of St Lawrence Jewry, London.
The surname also has a locational element in some cases. It may have been given to someone who lived near a place called Hardwick or Hardcastle, or even on hard, difficult ground, such as the area of Hardres near Canterbury in Kent. In these respects Hards indicates a connection to a particular place, as well as an inherent sense of strength and resilience. The name remains a small but distinct element of English genealogical nomenclature, largely confined to the United Kingdom and its diaspora.
Typical given names associated with the Hards surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Norman
- Peter
- Philip
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
- Stephen
Female
- Angela
- Doris
- Emma
- Joan
- Joanne
- Lynda
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Pamela
- Rebecca
- Rosemary
- Sarah
- Susan
- Valerie
Similar and related surnames
- Hard
- Harde
- Hardi
- Hardie
- Hardey
- Hardee
- Hardes
- Haird
- Hardas
- Hardis
- Hardy
- Hardys
- Hared
- Harred
- Harts
- Haud
- Hauds
- Haurd
- Hawd
- Heard
- Hearde
- Heards
- Herd
- Herdis
- Herds
- Herdus
- Hird
- Hirdes
- Hoard
- Hord
- Hordos
- Hords
- Hurd
- Hurdes
- Hurdis
- Hurds
- Hurdus
- Harday
- Hardess
- Hardew
- Hareed
- Hares
- Harrs
- Hars
- Hartes
- Haude
- Hayard
- Haywards
- Heardy
- Hearts
- Heird
- Herde
- Hierd
- Horde
- Hourd
- Hourde
- Hurde
- Hartas
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Hards in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Hards are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Rich Tea.
There are approximately 974 people named Hards in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,529th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Hards.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Hards
- Frederick Hards - Aviator (1889 to 1963)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.