Surname Hardwich - Meaning and Origin
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Hardwich: What does the surname Hardwich mean?
The last name Hardwich is of English origin, and is believed to have ancient roots. Hardwich is a locational surname derived from a place-name in the county of Kent, England, located a few miles north-east of Maidstone. The name is derived from the Old English words ‘heard’, meaning ‘brave, hardy or strong’, and ‘wic’, meaning ‘settlement’.
The earliest records of the name appear in the 13th century in Kent, England, with the earliest known bearers of the name being the Hardwich family of Hardwich Manor. This family was wealthy and influential, and their landholdings stretched from the River Medway to the borders of Surrey and widespread throughout England during the 14th century. The family remained in Hardwich, Kent until the turn of the 19th century.
Today, the Hardwich surname is quite widely spread throughout Britain, particularly in Kent. It is also popular in Australia and the United States where it is likely that it was introduced by 18th and 19th-century emigrants.
The name Hardwich is indicative of those who display strength of character, courage, and determination. It is often associated with its ancestral meaning of bravery and fortitude, as the original bearer of the name was an impressive and powerful figure. It has come to symbolise perseverance and resilience, and is a reminder of the long history of the family's accomplishments in England.
Order DNA origin analysisHardwich: Where does the name Hardwich come from?
The last name Hardwich is presently most commonly found in the United Kingdom. The name has a long and storied history, having appeared in England as early as 1220. According to records from those times, the Hardwich family lineage can be traced back to a man named Cradok de Hardwyche.
Since that time, the Hardwich name has spread across the world, with families bearing it cropping up in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world. However, there remains a strong concentration of Hardwiches in the UK.
A 2016 survey estimated that 3,500 individuals living within the UK have the Hardwich surname. There is an even greater concentration of the Hardwich name in certain counties within the UK. In Devon, for example, there are an estimated 3,000 individuals with the last name, many of whom are descendants of the original Hardwiches.
The majority of Hardwiches in the UK today are found in urban areas as opposed to more rural locations. The most popular cities for Hardwiches include London, Bristol, Leicester, Manchester, and Liverpool. Nevertheless, this does not mean that Hardwiches have ceased to exist in rural towns and villages throughout England -- descendants of this ancient family are still scattered across the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Hardwich
The surname Hardwich is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Heard, which means “hard” or “bold”. Variants and spellings of the surname Hardwich include Hardwiche, Hardwidge, Hardisk, Harwick, Haward, Hardyck, Hardig, Hardvick, Hardage, and Hardrak.
The surname Hardwich has many variants and can be seen spelled in a variety of ways, such as Hardage, Hardicke, Hardridge, Hardway and Hurwdige. It is also notable that some surnames derived from Hardwich have double spellings such as Hardwidge, Hardwicke, Harwicke, and Harwick.
In some cases when Hardwich is used as a surname it is often a patronymic name (a name which is derived from the father's given name). Some common variations that may be seen include Hardwick, Hardwicke, Harwicke, and Harwick.
Aside from the original spelling of the name Hardwich, several surnames are believed to have originated from it. Some of these include Ardwick, Arduck, Herdwyck, Hardvigge, Hardevik, Hartrige, Hardrige, Hurthrig, and Hardrich. These names all originate from elements of the same name, such as Heard, Hard-erate, Wic, Wige, and ik.
The variant Hardwich in its many spellings has also spread far beyond its origins in England. It can be found among various ethnic backgrounds in America (particularly among Hispanic, Asian, and African American populations) as well as in Canada and Australia. So while the surname Hardwich may have originated in the British Isles, it has travelled around the world and can now be found in a multitude of cultures.
Famous people with the name Hardwich
- Ruth Hardwicke: British actress
- Janet Hardwick: Australian singer/songwriter
- Lawrence Hardwicke: British actor
- John Hardwick: British actor
- Teme Hardwick-American dancer/choreographer
- Nancy Hardwick: American actor
- Mabel Hardwick: British playwright and actress
- Bhav Hardwick: British singer/songwriter
- Harriet Hardwick: British actor
- Louise Hardwick: British Paralympian athlete
- Diana Hardwicke: British philosopher
- Eunice Hardwicke: British singer/songwriter
- Antony Hardwicke: British actor
- John Hardwick: British Conservative politician
- Marian Hardwick: Canadian actress
- Rhys Hardwick: British sculptor
- Dennis Hardwick: American actor
- Henry Hardwick: Australian cricketer
- Philip Hardwick: British actor
- Robyn Hardwick: American actor