Hurdy Gurdies have had many body shapes over the years (see illustration). While initially used in churches before they had organs (around 1,100 a.d., northern France), it didn't take too long before street musicians used hurdy gurdies in folk music.

The very earliest medieval hurdy gurdies were box shaped

Here's a segment of the painting 'Garden of Earthly Delights', by Heironymous Bosch. (painted sometime between 1490 - 1510) This work depicts a five string hurdy gurdy with a trompette.   ​

Here is a drawing of a four-stringed hurdy gurdy by Marin Mersenne (1636). Note the four string arrangement: two chanterelles & two drones

How did they get the teardrop shape that we know of today? I once read that at some point luthiers (stringed instrument makers) were so inundated with hurdy gurdy orders that they couldn't keep up with demand. So, they would take other instruments (such as tear-drop shaped lutes) cut off the neck, and rebuild them into hurdy gurdies!

During the 18th century, the hurdy gurdy gained popularity as French court instrument. During this time, it's evolution took it to six strings, as well as the addition of resonant sympathetic strings. They also became much more ornately decorated.
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Pictured is an antique from the 1800's. It's owner was very gracious is allowing us to make detailed notes & pictures.

Where does the name Hurdy Gurdy come from?
The French name for the instrument is 'vielle a roue' (wheel fiddle), or sometimes 'vielle.  When the instruement first made it's way to the British Isles, the English used the term 'hurley burley' as a derogatory reference to the instrument's music. This evolved into the English name for the instrument that we know today: Hurdy Gurdy.

In the 1960's...
Folk singer Donovan had a hit with his song 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'. While the tune didn't actually feature a hurdy gurdy on the recording, it brought a new awareness of these wonderful instruments to modern pop culture.