Hearst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Hearst comes from the family having resided close to a wooded region or thicket. Hearst is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Literally, the name was derived from the Saxon word for "a wood, a grove; fruit-bearing tree." 1

Early Origins of the Hearst family

The surname Hearst was first found in Yorkshire the "surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'At the hurst,' a wood, a thicket. This surname has ramified in the most remarkable manner in the West Riding of Yorkshire." 2

The earliest record the family was Roger del Hurst who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1246. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 was one of the first rolls to list early spellings of the name: Iyode Hirst; and Richard de Hirst, both listed in Huntingdonshire. The Writs of Parliament of 1302 listed John atte Hurst. Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Willelmus del He'rst; Adam del Hyrst; and Willelmus del Hirst. 2

Early History of the Hearst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hearst research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1629, 1648, 1690, 1750, 1751, 1754, 1760, 1769 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hearst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hearst Spelling Variations

Hearst has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Hurst, Hirst, Herst and others.

Early Notables of the Hearst family

Distinguished members of the family include William Hirst (d. 1769?), English astronomer, the eldest son of William Hirst, D.D. (d. 1760), Master of Hertford free school, Vicar of Bengeo, and Rector of Sacomb, Hertfordshire. He was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hearst Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hearst family to Ireland

Some of the Hearst family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hearst migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hearsts to arrive on North American shores:

Hearst Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mrs. P. A. Hearst, aged 52, originally from Liverpool, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Liverpool & Queenstown 4
H. M. Hearst, aged 35, who arrived in New York, New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Kaiser Wilhelm II" from Southampton, England 4

Hearst Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

David Hearst, aged 7, originally from Rosenheim, Russia, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Saint Louis" from Southampton, England 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Hearst (post 1700) +

William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), American politician, Representative from New York 11th District, 1903-07; Candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 1904 5
William C. Hearst, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1964 5
George Hearst (1820-1891), American Democratic Party politician, Member of California State Assembly 8th District, 1865-67; U.S. Senator from California, 1886, 1887-91 5
Anne Hearst, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1960; Member of West Virginia Democratic State Executive Committee, 1961 5
George Randolph Hearst Jr. (b. 1927), American Chairman of the board of the Hearst Corporation (1996 to 2012)
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), American business magnate and a leading newspaper publisher
Amanda Randolph Hearst (b. 1984), American socialite, fashion model, and heiress
Michael Marcus Hearst (b. 1972), American composer
George Hearst (1820-1891), wealthy American businessman and United States Senator, father of newspaperman William Randolph Hearst
Gerald Garrison Hearst (b. 1971), former NFL running back

The Hearst 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: Pro Deo et rege
Motto Translation: For God and the king.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html