Surname Hansard - Meaning and Origin

Hansard: What does the surname Hansard mean?

The surname Hansard originates from Northern England, specifically from the county of Yorkshire. It is derived from an Old Norse personal name, "Hanson", which means "son of Hans". The suffix "-ard" was often added to denote someone who regularly performed a particular action or possessed a certain attribute. The name Hansard may have been used to refer to a person who is a descendant or follower of Hans. However, another belief is that it could also refer to someone associated with the "Hansard", the record of parliamentary debates in Britain and some Commonwealth countries. The name has been around since medieval times and has variants in different countries. As with many surnames, the exact meaning can be difficult to trace due to the evolution and regional distribution over centuries.

Hansard: Where does the name Hansard come from?

The surname Hansard is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name Anundr, introduced into England by the Vikings. This personal name is composed of the elements "Anu," referring to a god, and "-hard," meaning "brave, hardy." It later evolved into the Old Norse "Asketill" and the Middle English "Hasard" or "Hansard." The surname may also have a Norman origin, deriving from "anse-hard" or "nase-hard,” meaning "god-strong."

While this surname is found in many regions globally due to migration, it is most common in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, the highest density of Hansards is reported in Northern Ireland. It is also prevalent in England, particularly in regions like Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and London.

It is crucial to note that the surname Hansard is also associated with 'Hansard,' the traditional name of the transcripts of Parliamentary Debates in Britain and many Commonwealth countries. This term traces back to Thomas Curson Hansard, a London printer, who began publishing these reports in the early 19th century.

Variations of the surname Hansard

The surname Hansard can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon origin and has various spelling variations over the centuries. Some of these include Hanserd, Hanshaw, Hancel, Hanstede, Handside, Hansarde, Henshaw, Hensher, Henshal, and Henshall.

It is believed that the family name was first referenced in the 13th century in various status, including knight, cleric, and other roles. The surnames Henshaw or Henshall could have been originally derived from the Old English place name meaning "Hengest's nook of land". Hengest was a common Old English personal name.

The different spellings of a surname could happen due to many factors, including phonetically similar sounds, region, dialects, or different alphabets. So, it's not uncommon for a single surname to have different variations.

When emigrants moved to other countries, names were often changed to adapt to the local language which created even more versions of the original surname. As such, it's plausible that there are more variants of this surname exist across the globe.

As with many surnames, they can also be linked or connected with other family names through marriage, adoption, or other familial relationships. This makes tracing a single origin of a surname complex and sometimes impossible.

Famous people with the name Hansard

• Glen Hansard: An Irish songwriter, actor, vocalist, and guitarist, he is best known as the vocalist for The Frames, an Irish rock band, and as one half of folk rock duo The Swell Season. He has also acted, most notably in the movie 'Once,' for which he won an Academy Award for Best Song.
• Marketa Irglova (née Hansard): Though not her maiden name, she gained recognition as 'Hansard' during her marriage to Glen Hansard. She is a Czech singer-songwriter, musician, and actress and together with Hansard, she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" from the film 'Once.'
• Noelle Hansard: An Irish actress known for her work on 'Twelve Days of Terror' (2004), 'Just Like Sunday' (2008) and '16th Street' (2013).
• Luke Hansard: He isn't primarily known for his last name, but for his professional contributions. Luke was a British printer best known for being the first official printer to the UK's Parliament, and his name is now associated with the Parliamentary record, known as 'Hansard.'
• Bronagh Gallagher: Though not a Hansard by birth, she was famously associated with Glen Hansard professionally, having performed alongside him in The Commitments in 1991. This actress and singer made a name for herself on the Irish music and acting scene.

Other surnames

Hansan