This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the cardmaker,' a manufacturer of the 'card' or 'comb' used by the cloth-worker in the carding of wool and other raw material.

John Cardmaker, minorite, 1532: Register of the University of Oxford.

Willelmus Cardemaker, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Willm. Raweff, cardmaker, 1441:: Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society).

William Cardemaker, CR., 3 Edward IV.

'John Cardmaker, alias Taylor (d. 1555) a martyr, was originally an Observant friar. ... He became vicar of St Bridget's in Fleet St, and one of the lecturers at St. Paul's. He was brought before Bonner, May 25, 1555, and burnt alive at Smithfield, May 30': Dictionary of National Biography ix. 39-40.

The occupative term is found in the 17th century:

James Dewhurst parish of Rochdale, cardmaker, 1637; Wills at Chester.

I fear the surname is obsolete.

A maker of cards, instruments with wire teeth, with which wool is ' teased ' or worked.

Carder: maker of cards for weaving. Christopher Sly said of himself: “By birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker.”