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Irish Surname - Harte

Origin of the Irish surname Harte

The Irish surname Harte is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó hAirt" or "Ó hÁirt," which means "descendant of Art." Art, in this context, is an ancient Irish personal name derived from the word "art," meaning "bear" or "hero." The Harte family's roots can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Connacht in Ireland. They were primarily found in County Sligo and County Roscommon but later spread to other parts of Ireland.

Interesting People with the Surname Harte

Mickey Harte is a prominent Gaelic football manager from Northern Ireland. He is best known for his successful tenure as the manager of the Tyrone senior football team, leading them to three All-Ireland Senior Football Championships in 2003, 2005, and 2008.
Bret Harte was an American short story writer and poet, famous for his stories set during the California Gold Rush. His best-known works include "The Luck of Roaring Camp" and "The Outcasts of Poker Flat."
Moss Hart (1904-1961) was an American playwright and theater director, best known for his prolific career on Broadway. See more information on Moss Hart
Rita Hart (born May 5, 1956) is an American politician and educator who has been active in Iowa politics. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Iowa State Senate from 2013 to 2019, representing District 49. In 2020, Hart ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Iowa's 2nd congressional district. The race was extremely close and ultimately decided by just six votes in favor of her Republican opponent, Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Hart initially challenged the election results but later withdrew her challenge in March 2021.

Variations of the Irish Surname Harte

Harte: The most common spelling of the surname, found primarily in Ireland and the UK.
Hart: A simplified variation of the surname, more common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Ó hAirt: The original Gaelic spelling of the surname.

Coat of Arms and Motto of the Irish Surname Harte

The coat of arms associated with the Harte surname features a silver shield with a red lion rampant, holding a green trefoil (shamrock) in its paw. Above the shield, there is a helmet with a wreath and a crest that depicts a red lion passant (walking) holding a green trefoil. The specific design of the coat of arms may vary slightly between different branches of the Harte family.

There is no specific motto associated with the Harte surname, as mottos were typically chosen by individual branches of a family rather than being universally adopted. However, some Harte families may have a personal motto that reflects their values or aspirations.

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.