The surname of ARDING was a baptismal name 'the son of Hardinge' an ancient, although now forgotten personal name. Early records of the name mention Hardingus (without surname) who was documented in County Suffolk in the year 1095. Saint Stephen Harding (died 1134) was the English churchman, born in Sherborne, County Dorset. He was the co-founder, and from 1109 to 1033, the third abbot of the monastry of Citeaux, south of Dijon, and he endeavoured to restore the Cistercian rule to its original simplicity. John Harding, was recorded in County Cambridge in the year of 1173. Nicholas filius Harding was listed during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189). Richard Harding was recorded in Northumberland in the year 1199. Johannes Hardinge of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Warren Gamaliel Harding (1865-1923) was the 29th President of the U.S. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when Old English personal-names were rapidly superseded by the new christian names introduced by the Normans. Of these, only a few were really popular and in the 12th century this scarcity of christian names led to the increasing use of surnames to distinguish the numerous individuals of the same name. Some Normans had hereditary surnames before they came to England, but there is evidence that surnames would have developed in England even had there been no Norman Conquest. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each person owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized, and it became official that each individual acquired exact identification. Families of this name settled in Tipperary and adjoining countries in the 17th century. Others of pre-Cromwellian origin came to Ireland as early as the 15th century. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour.