An English and German surname, Hardwick comes from the Old English term ’heordewic’ which refers to a person who dwells near a sheep farm. A form of the Old German terms ‘hard’ and ‘wig’ refer to a brave person in combat. Variations in spelling Hardwick include Hartwicke, Hartwick and Hardwicke. In England the Hardwick surname in found in all the English counties and most of Wales. The area with the greater populations are Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Within the United States the Hardwick name is found primarily in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, South Carolina, Missouri, New York and California. Famous: Chris Hardwick (television actor), Damien Patrick Hardwick (professional footballer in Australia), Philip Hardwick (renown 19th century English architect), Harold Hampton Hardwick (gold medalist from Australia in the Olympics), Elizabeth Hardwick (a novelist and short story writer), John Hardwick (a theater, movie film and television actor), Trisha Hardwick (recognized English artist) and Claire Elizabeth ‘Charlie’ Hardwick (English actress).