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Hart Coat of Arms

The surname Hart, when of Irish descent, is often an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó hAirt, with "Ó" indicating "descendant of," and "hAirt" being a personal name meaning "stout" or "strong." This surname has roots in early Irish history and is associated with a sept that originated in the province of Connacht, primarily in the county of Galway, though the name can also be found throughout other parts of Ireland.

The exact origins of the Ó hAirt family are not well-documented, but like many Irish surnames, it is likely to have been patronymic in nature, referring to an ancestor named Art. The name Art itself is an old Celtic name derived from the word "art," meaning "bear" or "stone," and was a common name among Irish royalty and nobility. Over time, many Irish surnames were altered or simplified by English administrators who found the original Gaelic spellings difficult to pronounce or record. This led to various anglicized versions of the name, including Hart, O'Hart, and Hartt, among others.

As with many Irish families, the Harts experienced the social and political upheavals in Ireland, including the effects of the Norman invasion, English conquest, and the subsequent policies of Anglicization. Some members of the Ó hAirt clan may have emigrated during the Great Famine of the 19th century, spreading the surname to other parts of the world. Today, the Hart surname is found both in Ireland and across the diaspora, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

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