Find out how popular the last name Hardison is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Hardison.

Hardison, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Hardison surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hardison in America

Hardison is the 4375th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hardison surname appeared 8,128 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Hardison.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hardison to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Hardison

The surname Hardison is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hardi," meaning brave or hardy, combined with the common diminutive suffix "-son," indicating "son of." This suggests that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone deemed courageous or hardy in nature.

One of the earliest documented mentions of the name Hardison can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1275, where it appears as "Hardyson." This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage in medieval England.

During the 14th century, variations of the name began to emerge, such as "Hardeson" and "Hardyson," as recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 and the Court Rolls of Kent from 1352, respectively. These variations reflect the natural evolution of surnames over time and across different regions.

In the 15th century, the name Hardison took on a more recognizable form, as seen in the Cartulary of Bury St. Edmunds Abbey from 1446, where it is recorded as "Hardyson." This document provides valuable insights into the lives and activities of individuals bearing the name during that era.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Hardison was William Hardison, born around 1450 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a local magistrate in his community.

Another notable figure was John Hardison, born in 1523 in Oxfordshire, who gained recognition as a skilled architect and was responsible for the design and construction of several churches and manor houses across the region.

In the 17th century, the name Hardison gained further prominence with the birth of Thomas Hardison (1612-1694), a renowned scholar and theologian. He authored several influential works on religious philosophy and served as a professor at the University of Cambridge.

During the 18th century, the Hardison family established a strong presence in the county of Yorkshire, where they were actively involved in the textile industry. One notable member was Richard Hardison (1735-1812), a successful wool merchant and landowner.

In the 19th century, the name Hardison continued to be associated with various professions and industries. One prominent individual was Samuel Hardison (1825-1901), a pioneering industrialist who played a pivotal role in the development of the steel industry in the United States.

Throughout its long history, the surname Hardison has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, each contributing to the rich tapestry of their respective communities and eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hardison

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Hardison.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hardison was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Hardison has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Hardison was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hardison, please contact us.

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