Heads History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Heads surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived near a hill or near the source of a stream or the head of a valley. The name was originally derived from the Old English heafod, which meant head. The surname Heads belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. Heads may have also been a nickname given to someone with a large head or with some other peculiarity of the head.

Early Origins of the Heads family

The surname Heads was first found in Norfolk, but we must look to Nottinghamshire to find the first listing of the name, Thomas del Heved who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 1 The same roll has lists the spelling as Hedde and the old Anglo-Saxon spelling Heved. (BP)

Early History of the Heads family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heads research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1609, 1628, 1637, 1641, 1667, 1679, 1686, 1689 and 1737 are included under the topic Early Heads History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heads Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Heads include Head, Heade, Heads, Heed and others.

Early Notables of the Heads family

More information is included under the topic Early Heads Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heads family to Ireland

Some of the Heads family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 121 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heads family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: James Head who settled in Virginia in 1636; followed by Grace Head in 1654; and Mary Head in 1670; and later John Head settled there in 1774; William Head settled in Maryland in 1774.

Contemporary Notables of the name Heads (post 1700) +

Ian John Heads OAM (1943-2024), Australian historian, journalist, commentator and author

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)