Hardy (surname)

Hardy is a French,[1][2] English and Scottish surname.

It appears that the oldest usage is from the Old French hardi meaning "bold, courageous" which itself comes from Old Frankish hardjan meaning "to make hard".[3] The final -y is also typical of the French proper names (first names, surnames and place names, with the notable exception Henri, when it is a given name).

Some of the oldest Hardy families in England seem to originate from a Norman Knight de Hardy in the mid 11th century. English Hardy families can mainly be found around Dorset and Yorkshire.

In Scotland Hardi is considered to have Norman, Viking or Celtic origins and is mainly a Lowland surname. Scottish Hardys are mainly affiliated with Clan Mackintosh as a sept and the larger Clan Chattan.

Notable persons with this surname include:

List of persons with the surname

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

  • Nelson Hardy, Australian Rugby League player
  • Nell Carter (1948–2003), born Nell Ruth Hardy, American singer and actress

O

P

R

S

T

W

Fictional characters

See also

References

  1. Albert Dauzat, Noms et prénoms de France, Librairie Larousse 1980, édition revue et commentée par Marie-Thérèse Morlet. p. 320b.
  2. Géopatronyme : repartition of the surname Hardy in France
  3. Dauzat 320b
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