4,288 Hardiman members around the world

Hardiman Family History

Recorded as Hardman, Hardeman and Hardiman, this interesting surname is of early medieval English, and sometimes Irish origins. If English it was a nickname which derived from the Olde English pre 7th century words "Hardi", used as a personal name and meaning brave, with the suffix "-man", a friend or companion. It is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, or to habits of dress and occupation. In Ireland the surname can be of English origins, or may be a developed form of the pre 10th century Gaelic name O' hArgadain composed of the elements O' meaning male descendant of, with "Argadan", a personal name from argad meaning silver...