NOTHARD comes from NEATHERD meaning a cattle herder. Generally regarded as of Scandinavian/German origin. The Mormon web site Familysearch brings up births in Germany in 1732, 1782 and 1832. The oldest Mention appears to be Adliger Nothard around 800 cited in the "chronic der stadt und landshaf Schaffausen.band 1 seite 212." See also two Nothart mentions around this period on St Gall Abbey
The earliest known baptism appears to be that of WILLIAM NOTHERD at Barton upon Humber in 1741 followed by NOTHARD at the same venue a year later. In 1752 -6 there are baptisms at Kirkby cum Osgodby and in 1765 at Barnaby Dunn. The more recent UK events seem to go back to South Yorkshire mainly along the River Ouse at Reedness and Whitgift near Goole. Pockets of the name are linked by the Ouse, Humber and Trent river systems. Early mentions can be found at Spaldington (Bubwith), Howden and Airmyn also in Yorkshire.
NORTHARD is I believe a different spelling of the same name. People often spell my name, even today, with the added "R". There are many instances where different records for the same person show both spellings. See Nottiard Marriages for just one example of NORTHARD becoming NOTHARD but appearing in records as NOTTIARD. It is only fair to say that there are others who believe we are two quite seperate families. The question will probably only be resolved if a number from each group are prepared to try DNA testing. The earliest known English reference appears to be the marraige of ALICE NORTHERD in 1576 at Halifax and a burial on 30th Oct 1680 of JOSEPH NORTHARD at Clifford Chambers, Warwickshire. Early references of this name occurr in North Lincolnshire at Burringham and West Butterick moving later to Hull in Yorkshire.
Until relatively recent times names were spelt as they sounded hence NORTHERD and NOTHERD
In September 1995 I sent out a newsletter called The Cattle Herdsman to over 50 NOTHARD & NORTHARDs around the world. I was delighted by the many replies, phone calls and pedigrees I received as a result. In February 2001 issue No. 2 was issued to 146 contacts around the world. Issue 3 in March 2004 was sent to 169 contacts.
If you share one of these rare names, please do let me here from you. Contact Me but delete "5" from e-mail address