So many years since this question was asked, but it couldn't hurt to answer:
I was told by my father and his father that the name Hard was actually a nickname that stuck after landing on the American shore; that his true name was William McKinlay, a man who found his way unto a pirate ship as an angry pirate himself. "William the Hard" they called the Scot since his anger was fierce as his left hook - one that would strike just before his blade.
Pirates and ships seems to be the only commonality we have with our stories I guess, sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.