The earliest known record of the name is that of Sarah, daughter of Roger Carhurta, of Devonshire, married John Cottell, of Yoembridge, in Devon around 1420. In the visitations of Devonshire, 1565, is found the record of the marriage of Thomas Carhurta with Margery, daughter of Richard Malherb, but the date of the marriage was not recorded.

The Cornwall branch of the Carhart family was established as early as 1550, but the records of this line are fragmentary. Anthony Carhart, who was living in Cornwall before 1650, was the father about that year of a son, Thomas Carhart, who came to America in 1683 and is believed to have been the progenitor of most of the families with the Carhart name in the United States.

My family was one exception. My ancestor, Stephen Carhart, arrived in Wisconsin from Cornwall in 1842, much later than the line of Thomas Carhart. I am fairly certain I have accurately researched and documented the lineage of Stephen Carhart in the United States.

Among those of the name who have been prominent in America are:

Arthur Hawthorne Carhart (1892 - 1978), of Denver, Colorado, author and conservationist.

Daniel Carhart (1839 -€“ 1937), of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, educator, civil engineer, and author.

Jeremiah Carhart (1813-1868), of New York, manufacturer and inventor.

Hamilton Carhartt (1855 - 1937), of New York and Michigan, cotton manufacturer. Founded the Carhartt apparel manufacturer and retailer.

Henry Smith Carhart (1844 - 1920) of New York and Michigan, educator, scientist, and author.

John Ernest Carhart (1878 - 1943) of Ohio, clergyman.

LeRoy Harrison Carhart (1941 - ), of Nebraska, physician.

Raymond Thomas Carhart (1912 - 1975) born in Mexico City, Mexico. Professor of Audiology, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.