The Ancient History

of the Surname

Hardiment

The history of the most ancient Anglo/Saxon surname of Hardiment reaches far into the chronicles of the Saxon race. The Saxon Chronicle, compiled by monks in the 10th century, now reposes in the British Museum.

History researches have examined reproductions of such ancient manuscripts as the Doomsday Book (1086), the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296), the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, babtismals, tax records and other ancient documents. They found the first record of the name Hardiment in Lancashire where they were seated from Very ancient times, some say well before the Noman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Different spellings were encountered in the research of your surname. Throughout the centuries your name, Hardiment, occurred in many records, manuscripts and documents. but not always with your exact spelling. From time to time the surname included the spellings Hardman, Hardiman, Hardyman, and these variations in spelling frequently occurred even between father and as Scribes and church officials often travelling great distances, even from other countries, frequently spelt the names phonetically. As a result the same person would be recorded differently on birth, baptismal marriage and death certificates as well as the other numerous records, recording life's events.

The Saxon race gave birth to many English surnames not the least of which was the surname Hardiment, The Saxons were invited into England by the ancient Britons of the 4th century. A fair skinned people their home was the Rhine valley some as far north east as Denmark. They were led by two brothers, General/Commander Hengist and Horsa The Saxons settled in the county of Kent, on the south east coast of England. Gradually they spread north and westward, and during the next four hundred years forced the ancient Britons back into Wales and Cornwall in the west, and Cumberland to the north. The Angles occupied the eastern coast the south folk in Suffolk, north folk in Norfolk. Under Saxon rule England. prospered under a series of High Kings, the last of which was Harold.

In 1066, the Norman's invaded From France and were victorious at the Battle of Hastings In 1070, Duke William took on army of 40,000 north and wasted the northern countries, forcing many rebellious Norman nobles and Saxons to flee over the border into Scotland. Meanwhile the Saxons who remained in the south were not treated well under hostile Noman rule, and they also moved northward to the midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire away from the Noman oppression.

Nevertheless, this notable English family name, Hardiment, emerged as an influential name in the county of Lancashire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at Liverpool with manor and estates in that shire. The family branched to Rochdale in early times, and later branched south to Suffolk and Norfolk. The family flourished for several centuries intermarrying with the distinguished families of the area. Notable amongst the family at this time was Hardman of Lancashire.

The surname Hardiment flourished during the turbulent middle ages, contributing greatly to the cultural development of England. During the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England. was ravaged by plagues, famine, and religious conflict. Protestantism, the newly found political fervour of Cromwellianism and democratic government, and the remnants of the Roman Church rejected all non believers, each jealously claiming adherents to their own cause. The changing rule caused burnings, hangings and banishments of all sects and creeds, first one then another. Many families were freely 'encouraged' to migrate to Ireland, or to the 'colonies'. Some were rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished.

Some families were forced to migrate to Ireland where they become known as the 'Adventurers for land in Ireland'. Protestant settlers 'undertook' to keep their faith, being granted lands previously owned by the Catholic Irish In Ireland they settled in county Meath where the name was changed to Herdeman, and they created Herdmanstown.

The New World offered better opportunities and some migrated voluntarily some were banished mostly for religious reasons. Some left Ireland disillusioned with promises unfulfilled, but many left directly from England. their home territories. Some also moved to the European continent.

Members of the family name Hardiment sailed aboard the huge armada of three masted sailing ships known as the 'White Sails' which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships such as the Hector, the Dove and the Rambler, were pestilence ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, their numbers reduced by dysentery cholera, small pox and typhoid.

Amongst the first settlers in North America, which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Hardiment or a variable spelling of that family name was John Hardeman settled in the Barbados in 1685; Edward Hardman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1698; Phillip Hardman arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772; Edward, John, Michael, Richard, Thomas and William Hardman all arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1840.

From the port of entry many settlers made their way west, joining the wagon trains to the prairies or to the west coast. during the American War of Independence, many loyalists made their way north to Canada about 1790, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.

Contemporary notables of this surname Hardiment include many distinguished contributors; David Hardman Administrator; Amy Hardman Air Chief Marshall Sir Donald Hardman Sir Henry Hardman of Covent Garden.

During the course of cur research we also determined the many Coat of Arms granted to different branches of the family name.

The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was;

Red and Gold with three lion between two fleur de lis on a silver stripe at the top.

The Crest is;    A hand holding a rose.