Hart Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Hart last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Hart last name
Meaning of the Hart last name: stag (nickname). Hart was a nickname from Old English heorot, "hart, stag", perhaps for a fleet-footed or proud man, or a house name for someone living at the sign of the hart. In Ireland Hart was used as an English form of Ó hAirt, a Meath sept, and among Jewish families it often stands for Hirsch, "deer". The name is common across England, Ireland and the United States. Medieval records in England show the name as le Hert and Herte from the 13th century, and it is found throughout the country, especially in the south-east. Inn signs showing a hart, or white hart, were common in medieval towns, which supports the house-name origin. The Irish Ó hAirt, from Art, "bear" or "champion", lived in Meath until the Anglo-Norman invasion, then moved to Sligo. Hart families settled early in New England and Virginia, and the name is now widespread in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Hart name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Hart name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Ireland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Hart name FAQ
What does the Hart name mean?
Stag (nickname). Common variants include Harte, Hartt, Hurt.
Where does the Hart surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Ireland and Australia.
Is there a Hart coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Hart crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Hart coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).