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Show ContentsHales History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Hales has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in a remote valley, or nook. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English halh, which had the same meaning. Conversely the name could have been a nickname for someone who was "healthy, stout, a brave man, chief, or hero" having derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "hale." 1

Early Origins of the Hales family

The surname Hales was first found in Cheshire, but there are other records of this local name throughout England. Parish named Hales were found in Stafford, Norfolk and Worcester. Norfolk's earliest reference was Alexander de Hales, who was listed there in 1245. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: Richard de la Hale in Oxfordshire; and Walter en le Hale in Sussex at that time. Robert in the Hale was listed in the Close Roll, temp. 2 Edward I and according to Kirby's Quest, John atte Hale was listed in Somerset, temp. 1 Edward III 3 4

Alexander of Hales (d. 1245), the celebrated theologian, and one of the first of the Christian Philosophers of the thirteenth century, was born in Gloucestershire at a town or village called Hales. 5

Thomas Hales (fl. 1250), was an early English poet and religious writer, was a Franciscan friar, and presumably a native of Hales (or Hailes) in Gloucestershire. 5

The name quickly became native to Scotland as seen by Michel de Hale del counte de Edeneberk who rendered homage to King Edward I in his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. 6

Later some of the family were found at Kings Walden in Hertfordshire. "On the north side of the chancel of the church is a chapel, the burial-place of the Hale family, erected by William Hale, who died in 1648." 7

Hailes Castle is a 14th century castle about a mile and a half south west of East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland. It dates back to c. 1300. Hailes Abbey near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire was built in 1245 or 1246 but little remains of the abbey today.

Early History of the Hales family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hales research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1325, 1331, 1379, 1381, 1394, 1455, 1456, 1457, 1459, 1470, 1471, 1490, 1516, 1540, 1572, 1576, 1584, 1608, 1609, 1614, 1625, 1626, 1636, 1640, 1645, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1676, 1677, 1679, 1681, 1684, 1691, 1692, 1694, 1700, 1729, 1762, 1773, 1793, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hales History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hales Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hales have been found, including Hale, Hail, Hailes, Hayles, Hayle, Hales, Haile and many more.

Early Notables of the Hales family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Stephen Hales (before 1331-1394), of Testerton, Norfolk, an English soldier and politician
  • John Hales, the medieval Bishop of Exeter (1455-1456)
  • John Hales (also Hals or Halse
  • John Hales (c.1470-1540), of The Dungeon, Canterbury, Kent, an administrator and Baron of the Exchequer
  • John Hales (c.1516-1572), a writer, administrator and politician
  • John Hales (died 1608), the owner of the Whitefriars in Coventry at which two of the Marprelate tracts were printed on a secret press
  • John Hales (1584-1656), an English cleric, theologian and writer, his posthumous works earned him the title of the "Ever-memorable"
  • Sir Edward Hales, 1st Baronet (1576-1654), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Queenborough in 1625 and (1640-1645) and Kent (1626)
  • Sir Edward Hales, 2nd Baronet (1626-c.1684), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Maidstone in 1660 and Queenborough (1661-1681)
  • Sir Thomas Hales, 2nd Baronet (1666-1762), British Member of Parliament
  • Sir Thomas Hales, 3rd Baronet (c. 1694-1762), British Member of Parliament and courtier

Hales Ranking

In the United States, the name Hales is the 4,073rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 8

Ireland Migration of the Hales family to Ireland

Some of the Hales family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Hales migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hales, or a variant listed above:

Hales Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Hales, who arrived in Maryland in 1631-1636 9
  • Thomas Hales (1610-1679) and his brother Samuel Hales (1615-1693), born in Hertford, English Puritan founding settlers of Hartford, and Norwalk, Connecticut in 1634
  • Jo Hales, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 9
  • Mr. James Hales, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 10
  • Samuel Hales (1615–1693), who, who settled in America from Hertford, England in 1639 to become a founding settler of Hartford and Norwalk, Connecticut, member of the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut from Norwalk
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hales Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Antho Hales, who landed in Virginia in 1703 9
  • Thomas Hales, who landed in Virginia in 1714 9
Hales Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Thomas Reuben Hales, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1916 9

Canada Hales migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hales Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Lt. Col. William Harris Hales U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 he was acting Governor of New Brunswick in 1816 11
Hales Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Hales, who landed in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Hales migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hales Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Benjamin Hales, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Blundell" on 13th March 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
  • John Hales, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pakenham" in 1849 13
  • Edmund Hales, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constitution" in 1851 14
  • James Hales, aged 26, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Calabar" 15
  • Catherine Hales, aged 21, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Hales migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hales Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles Frederick Hales, who landed in East Cape, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Hales, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Hales, aged 28, a cabinet maker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Richard Hales, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
  • Elizabeth Hales, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Hales migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Hales Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Hales, (Haies), aged 30, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Hales (post 1700) +

  • Laura Harris Hales (1967-2022), American writer, historian, and podcaster who focused on matters of history, theology, and culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
  • Robert Dean Hales (1932-2017), American businessman and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1994-2017)
  • Thomas Callister Hales (b. 1958), American mathematician working on the Langlands program
  • Sir Thomas Pym Hales (1726-1773), 4th Baronet, English politician, Member of Parliament for Downton (1762-1768), Member of Parliament for Dover (1770-1773)
  • Leonard Hales (b. 1872), former English footballer
  • Thomas "Tom" Hales (1892-1966), Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteer and politician from West Cork
  • Thomas Hales (1740-1780), British-born French dramatist and librettist
  • David Hales (b. 1981), Canadian professional ice hockey player
  • Alfred "Alfie" Hales (b. 1939), former Irish footballer and manager
  • Patricia Ward Hales (1929-1985), British former tennis player
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Cornwall
  • William Hales (d. 1942), British Able Seaman aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 18
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Edward Hales (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19
HMS Royal Oak
  • Joseph Hales (d. 1939), Maltese Leading Cook (S) with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 20

The Hales Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Cum principibus
Motto Translation: Whith my chiefs
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blundell
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The PAKENHAM 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Pakenham.htm
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTITUTION 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Constitution.htm
  15. South Australian Register Tuesday 2nd August 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Calabar 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstuart1853.shtml
  16. South Australian Register Monday 26th December 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Epaminondas 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1853.shtml
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  19. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  20. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
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