Haster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Haster is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a 'Hayrester' or 'Hairster,' as originally 'hayre' was "a garment made of goat's hair. Hayrester, a maker of hayres.' 'Hayresters, workers in horsehair.' " 1

Alternatively, the name could have been for someone who was a "hastiler, one who superintended the roasts," from the Old French word "hasteur" or the Old French word "haste" for a "turnspit" or "spit." 2

Early Origins of the Haster family

The surname Haster was first found in Essex, where John Haster was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1440. Years later, Thomas Haster was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1576. 2

Early History of the Haster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haster research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1579 and 1593 are included under the topic Early Haster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haster Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Haster include Haster, Hasster, Hester and others.

Early Notables of the Haster family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Haster family to Ireland

Some of the Haster family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haster migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Haster were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Haster Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Haster, aged 21, who landed in Maryland in 1684 3

Haster Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Haster moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1766

Haster Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert Haster, aged 24, who arrived in New York in 1812 3
Ferdinand Haster went to Texas with his family in 1854

Haster 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:

Haster Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Haster, aged 22, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874
Susannah Haster, aged 21, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874
George Haster, aged 2, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)