Surname Ardiff - Meaning and Origin
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Ardiff: What does the surname Ardiff mean?
The last name Ardiff is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó hUirdev, which has two possible translations. The first is "descendant of Uirdev" which, according to Edward MacLysaght's Irish Families, is a diminutive or pet form of the Old Irish personal name Uird, meaning "green." The other possible translation is from the Gaelic "áird" which means "height."
The early history of the Ardiff family can be traced to counties Cork and Kerry in southwestern Ireland during the mid seventeenth century. By the late 1700's they had grown to be "one of the most famous and numerous of the Irish race." It was during this time that the Ardiff family's name spread to different parts of the United Kingdom and even the United States. Today, the Ardiff surname can be found in many English-speaking countries.
The coat of arms of the Ó hUirdev clan features three black ram horns on a gold field. The horns signify their legendary ancient lineage, stretching back to a mythical ancestor named Oirdhev. This is thought to be a variant of Uird, which further ties back to the meaning of the Ardiff surname.
The Ardiff surname is a timeless one, and is proudly passed down from one generation to the next. It is a reminder of the family’s impressive heritage, and the strong roots that have been set in Irish and English cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisArdiff: Where does the name Ardiff come from?
The surname Ardiff is a relatively rare surname, so it is not particularly common anywhere today. It originates from Ireland and is thought to be derived from an Old Gaelic name, possibly O’hAird Delbhna. This has been loosely translated to mean son of the fortunate of the Delbhna tribe. Originally, the surname was thought to be found mostly in Galway, Ireland. However, due to immigration, Ardiff families can now be found in many countries around the world.
One of the countries with a large concentration of Ardiff families today is the United States. According to recent records, there are about 650 people in the United States with the surname Ardiff. Most of them reside in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, although they can also be found in other parts of the country, such as Texas, Florida and California.
In England, there are approximately 250 people reporting the Ardiff name. Most of them are located in the south in cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester. It is likely that many of them are descended from immigrants who came to the United Kingdom during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Because the Ardiff family name is so rare, it is not possible to trace its movements with precision. Nonetheless, records indicate that the surname can be found in countries across Europe and North America, suggesting that it is likely that many Ardiff families have now dispersed around the world.
Variations of the surname Ardiff
The surname Ardiff is derived from the Irish Ó hAcardaigh, which was Anglicized to Ardiff, Arcady or Archdall. It is a common surname found predominantly in the Province of Connacht in Ireland, particularly in County Mayo.
Variant spellings of the surname include Arcady, Arcedy, Arceady, Ardagh and Hardiff. Rare spelling variants include Arsady and Orsady. Surnames of similar origin and spelling include Archdall, Hardiff and Hards.
The most common form of the surname is Ardiff, which is derived from the Irish Ó hAcardaigh, which means “descendant of Aonaghtán/Aonaghta.” This personal name is derived from the Irish 'onnacht', meaning honor.
The spellings Archdall and Ardagh may have evolved from the name as a result of mispronunciation and phonetic differences in local dialects. The spellings Hardiff and Hards may be variations of the spelling Archdall. The spelling Arceady may have evolved from the Irish pronunciation of the surname, or may have been adopted in England by families with the same surname.
The spelling Arsady has also been recorded and may be a combination of the Irish surname Ó hAcardaigh and the Scottish name Sarsfield. The Orsady spelling is also rare and may also have evolved from the same combination.
Famous people with the name Ardiff
- Paddy Ardiff: An Irish actor and playwright
- Darra Ardiff: A fashion designer from Ireland
- Gerry Ardiff: A British actor and director
- Eileen Ardiff: An Irish-American actress
- Ellen Ardiff: An American voice actress
- Fintan Ardiff: An Irish composer
- Niamh Ardiff: An Irish actress best known for her role in Maggie's Christmas Miracle
- Aisling Ardiff: An Irish singer/songwriter
- Tony Ardiff: An English jazz musician
- Cormac Ardiff: An Irish journalist