There was a manor named Hert in Durham, mentioned in 1288 and again in 1296 when Cristina, widow of R. de Brus, lord of Annandale, was dowered in the same (Bain, II, 556,826). Hart 'of that Ilk', however, says Stodart, is a mere complimentary addition. Mainprize by Henry Hert, burgess of Lanark, is recorded in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 184). Michael Hart received from Robert I a charter of the lands of Brakysfield (now Braxfield) which Adam Braks resigned (RMS., I, App. II, 603), and in 1316, as Michael Hertt in Lanark, he is in record as a witness (Kelso, p. 159). Nichol Hart was accused of part in the murder of Cardinal Beaton, 1546 (RPC., I, p. 32), Hugh Hert was juror on an inquisition held at Lochmaben in 1347 (Bain, 111, 1499), John Hart was bailie of the burgh of Canongate, Edinburgh, in 1561 (MCM., II, p. 285), and another John Hairt or Hert was king's messenger in 1570 (Irvine, I, p. 54, 55). Mr. William Haert or Heart of Liittands was advocate to King James VI Mr. John Heart was minister at Crail in 1644 (Edinb. Marr.), and Malcolm Heart is recorded in Easter Feodel in 1727 (Dunblane). A family of this name were burgesses of Edinburgh, Edward sitting in parliament for the burgh in 1586, and Andrew, printer to the king, published an edition of the works of Sir David Lyndsay, etc. A pension was paid to Marion Heart in Edinburgh, 1734 (Guildry, p. 148).

(English) 1 a personal and nick-name from the animal.

Richard le Hert.—Parl. Writs.

2 a name derived from an heraldic or trade sign [Middle English hert, Old English heor(o)t= Old Norse hiört-r] (Celtic) for O'Hart, q.v.

“Male Deer” in Old English. See also Hirsch.

(English) Dweller at the sign of the hart or stag, the adult male of the red deer; one who came from (stag island), in Durham.

(from the name of a male ancestor) Hart is an English name that refers to a “stag” or “deer” or “hart.” Hartman is a German name which means “strong man.” As a Jewish family name Hart and Hartman were selected as patronyms for Naphtali whose kinnui Herz (Harz) or Hirsh means “deer” or “hart.” Other forms of this Jewish family name are Hardt, Hartog, Hartwig, Hartwick, Hartig.

A male deer-a common charge of heraldry. Its medieval form as a surname is ' Le Hart.' We have a large importation of Harts from Germany, where the word implies hard, stiff, indexible, rude, or severe. Many Jewish families hear this name.

Or Le Cerf. William, Richard, Walter, Ralph Cerfus, Normandy, 1180-98 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); in England translated into Hert before 1272 (RII). Hence the Baronets Hart-Dyke.

From the Old Norse, Hjörtr; A. Hjerta; from the Danish, Harth; from the Dutch, Hart; from the German, Hart, Herte; in the Domesday Book, Artor, Hard; a personal name.

Hart: as certainly a sign as it was a crest. There were Buck and Stag, Doe and Roe; but Buck may stand for buck- master, Stag in the West of England means a cock, and Roe may be a Danish name or a corruption of Ralph. Hart is the name from a sign, or from a knightly crest that has found much favour in England.

Hart. —This name is found in the centre and east of England, as, for instance, in Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk. It is isolated in the north of England in the county of Durham, and in the North and East Ridings; also frequent in Gloucestershire, and to a less extent in Wilts. The name has evidently had different origins. Probably the numerous Harts who are said to have come over into England from Germany may explain the origin of the Harts in the counties on the east coast of England. Many Jewish families bear the name.