Show ContentsHawksly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hawksly family

The surname Hawksly was first found in Lancashire where William de Hauekesle was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1246. Later, Richard de Hauekeslowe was listed in Cheshire in 1321. The name is originally from Hawkesley Hall in King Norton, Worcestershire and literally meant 'dweller at the clearing frequented by hawks.' 1

Alternatively the name could have originated in Hauxley, in the parish of Warkworth, union of Alnwick, E. division of Coquetdale ward, N. division of Northumberland. 2 3

Early History of the Hawksly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hawksly research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1384, 1386, 1387, 1390, 1393, 1408, 1424, 1425, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hawksly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hawksly Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hawksly include Hawksley, Hawkesley, Hakesley, Horkesley, Horksley, Haxley, Hawxley, Howxley and many more.

Early Notables of the Hawksly family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Haxey (d. 1425), Treasurer of York minister, may have been a native of Haxey, in the isle of Axholme in Lincolnshire, to which village he left benefactions in his will. In 1384 he became rector of Pulham in Norfolk, which he exchanged in the same year for the living of St. Nicholas Cole-Abbey in the city of London. Early in 1386 he was presented by the king to the rectory of Toppesfield in Essex, but resigned it after half a year...
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hawksly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hawksly family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hawksly or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.


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