Is the name 'Harding' Scottish?

[slohairt]

Dia dhuit, mo charaí!

Here's one to further stir the pot!

Ó hAirdín "descended from the high one"

DISCLAIMER: I actually made that up. The name Harding is NOT Irish nor is it even of Gaelic origin in any way, shape, or form. It should not be perceived as such by those of any descent, Irish or otherwise. This was merely a Gaelicisation of an Anglo-Saxon name, purely for entertainment purposes only. A fascinating example of language manipulation, if you will. The author hereby denies any responsibility for those who use this fictional information to bolster any claims, whatever they may be. ;)

[Casper]

The Anglo-Saxon source is probably Germanic... had a German Harder in the family line somewhere...

[macwilkin]

Another Harding Clan site. I suspect there is a Clan Harding http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.f...mily-crest.htm

Don, that is a "Bucket Shop" site. They sell "family crests" -- as they'd say in these parts, "their ain't no such creature!"

Be VERY wary of any information you might find on a site like this -- much of it is generalized.

Regards,

Todd

[Don Patrick]

Didn't realize that sort of thing was still in vogue. My son bought me one of those family crests for the 'Patrick' name quite few years back. Not sure where it is now.

[Don Patrick]

I was aware that the Scottish did not have surnames until after the 1100's, just couldn't remember where I had seen it. Noblemen started the process first (interestingly their tentants also had the opportunity to assume the same last name of their Nobleman). If they moved, they'd pick up the last name of their new Nobleman. Otherwise, the names they selected were normally based on their trade or the area that they lived in - I almost forgot patronymics and to-names. It wasn't until the 1700's that the use of patronymic naming began to cease - 600 hundred years of surnames evolving. Actually a registrar's rule in 1855 was the first to require a son to retain his father's last name.

The significance of this - the Scotti, Pictti, Norse, and other peoples in England and Scotland prior to this time, to some extent, would have been on equal terms for selecting their last names. I'm sure most would have favored the tongue of their own language, but still that freedom of opportunity was there.

Here are some sites that talk to this subject - the first I believe of particular interest and the latter representing it's self to offer the most approximately complete list. I warn you, you may not like what you read:

http://www.clanmacrae.org/documents/names.htm
http://www.last-names.net/Articles/Scottish-Names.asp
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/clanmenu.htm

[Cawdorian]

I was thinking about Mark Hardin, Baron of Calenknowles, who is on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and on the Scottish Armiger council (whatever its official name is). He married a girl from my hometown, lived in Atlanta, and now lives somewhere in the Carolina mountains.
I was not sure of the family origins (I NEVER looked it up).

I know Mark, I believe his last name is spelled Harden, his title was recognized within the last year or so by Lord Lyon's Court. There was a special mention and recognition of his attainment of the title at an event I attended a few months ago.

[Cawdorian]

[quote=Don Patrick;391244]My son bought me one of those family crests for the 'Patrick' name quite few years back. quote]

I have a picture of old Patrick Coat of Arms from somewhere, I was really struck by it's resemblance to the Lamont Coat of Arms.

[Don Patrick]

[QUOTE=Cawdorian;391292]

My son bought me one of those family crests for the 'Patrick' name quite few years back. quote]

I have a picture of old Patrick Coat of Arms from somewhere, I was really struck by it's resemblance to the Lamont Coat of Arms.

Jim,

I'd be interested in seeing it.

[Cawdorian]

Don,

I'll e-mail you a copy of it. Did you get the other info I sent you?

[Monkey@Arms]

Here are some sites that talk to this subject - the first I believe of particular interest and the latter representing it's self to offer the most approximately complete list. I warn you, you may not like what you read:

http://www.clanmacrae.org/documents/names.htm
http://www.last-names.net/Articles/Scottish-Names.asp
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/clanmenu.htm

Don, thanks for the links.

The first article should be mandatory reading by those who like to argue, based on their last name alone, why they are "entitled" to wear a particular clan associated tartan to the exclusion of others.

Best regards,

Jake