9,097 Global HARDISON Family Members

HARDISON Family History

This very interesting surname recorded in the spellings of Hard and Harde, and the patronymics Hardes, Hards, Hardison, Hardstone, and Hardson, is of Olde English pre 7th century origins. It derives from the ancient word "heard" meaning hardy, brave, or strong, and as such it was baptismal, and possibly given at birth to the son of a warrior or soldier. Later in the medieval period from the 10th century onwards, it was also a nickname, supposedly for a stern or severe person, but probably given the robust "chaucerian" humour of the time, the complete reverse! In a few cases the original name would have been topographical or locational for someone who lived on hard ground, that is to say an area difficult to farm, or from a place called Hardres, near Canterbury in the county of Kent.