Surname Hardel - Meaning and Origin
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Hardel: What does the surname Hardel mean?
The last name Hardel is an interesting one with a variety of potential meanings and origins. As a French surname it has been recorded in a variety of spellings including: Hardel, Hardelot, Harden, Hardell and Hardelot. It is possible that the name has been derived from various French locations such as Hardelot in Pas-de-Calais, Harding as a localised form in Poitou and the Languedoc regions and even Harden, Hardek and Hardens as place names to the north and east of Paris. In essence, the hardel element of the name is likely to have been a descriptor with variations of ‘hard’, ‘hardy’ and ‘strong’, given the definition of a hardel as ‘hard ground’.
The oldest recorded use of the Hardel spelling was around 1647 when Jacques Hardel is noted in Paris. This suggests that the name became established in France several centuries ago, but has only been used in Britain since the 19th century, likely to have been introduced at the same time as many other Huguenot refugees. It is likely that the name refers to the strength, resilience and courage of its bearer. It is also possible that it refers to rugged beauty, with the word hardel often being used to describe mountain terrain.
Either way, the origins and interpretations of the name Hardel are as varied and individual as its users, each of whom are likely to have their own unique story of why the name has been passed down from one generation to the next.
Order DNA origin analysisHardel: Where does the name Hardel come from?
Today, the last name Hardel is most commonly found in France, with a few scattered in other nearby countries such as Belgium and Germany. In France, it is especially prevalent in the region of Brittany. The French census lists Hardel as the 483rd most common name in France beyond its borders. There is also a concentration of Hardel families in the United States, particularly in Louisiana and California. In the United States, Hardel is the 20,094th most common name .
The origins of Hardel are unclear but it has speculated to have been derived from the Germanic elements "harit" meaning warrior, and "hild" meaning battle. It is likely that the original bearer of Hardel was a warrior, a theme that resonates even into modern day.
Today, the last name Hardel remains an important part of many families' heritage and the source of pride for their ancestors. Hardel families often keep the surname alive through the generations, and many are active in their communities in France and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Hardel
Hardel is a surname of French origin that has had multiple variations throughout history. Spellings of this surname include Hardel, Hardell, Haudel, Haudelle, and Ardell. In some cases, families have also adopted spellings such as H 137 and Harwell.
Surnames with the same origin as Hardel include Haudemort, Dehardel, de Haudel, de Hardelot, Hardi, Hardon, Hardot, Hardault, Harday, Harreau, Harrault, Harrot, and Haudrey.
In addition to the variations in spelling, the surname Hardel has also had multiple variations in spelling over time. In addition to the standard French spellings, this surname was also sometimes spelled with an “r” in place of the “d.” This was sometimes seen in the surnames Hardelle, Harrell, or Heritage.
At times, this surname has also been spelled with an “o” in place of the “a”, resulting in Hardoll, Hardollot, and Hardoulot.
Finally, this surname has sometimes been shortened to the various prefixes of “Har,” such as Harrell, Harrod, Harrow, or Harrot.
Over time, these variations have resulted in a wide array of surnames derived from the same source. In total, there are over sixty different spellings and variants that have been collected from documents dating back to the 14th century.
Famous people with the name Hardel
- Margot Hardel: French actress and singer
- John Hardel: a member of the Nevada State Assembly
- Niels Hardel: Danish bassoonist and composer
- Bernard Hardel: French actor
- Seb Hardel: French footballer
- Chantal Hardel: French mezzo-soprano singer
- Eugène Hardel: French landscape painter
- Maximilien Hardel: French Catholic bishop
- Pierre-Paul Hardel: French horticulturist, botanist and scientist
- William Hardel: officer in the United States Army
- Elizabeth Hardel: English artist
- Karine Hardel: French archer
- Roger Hardel: French alpine skier
- Sophie Hardel: French film producer and director
- Augustin Hardel: French politician