Hignett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Hignett is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Hignett family when they emigrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Hignett comes from the Norman name Odinet, from which the more commonly known Odo is derived. Apart from the aforementioned patronymic origin, the place name could also mean "pleasant valley," from the Welsh "hawdd" meaning "pleasant" or "peaceful" and "nant," a "glen or valley." 1

Early Origins of the Hignett family

The surname Hignett was first found in Shropshire at Hodnet, a village and civil parish in the union of Drayton, in the hundred of North Bradford. 2

The first record of the place name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Odenet. 3

"The Hodnets, or Hodnetts, derive their name from the Shropshire parish of Hodnet. During the 13th century there was a powerful family in the county that took the name of De Hodenet from either the manor or the parish of the name." 4

Early History of the Hignett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hignett research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hignett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hignett Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hignett were recorded, including Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more.

Early Notables of the Hignett family

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

Migration of the Hignett family to Ireland

Some of the Hignett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hignett migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hignett arrived in North America very early:

Hignett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth and James Hignett, who sailed to Maryland in 1666
Eliza Hignett, who landed in Maryland in 1666 5
James Hignett, who arrived in Maryland in 1666 5
Robert Hignett, who arrived in Maryland in 1666 5
Robert, Hignett Jr., who landed in Maryland in 1666 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hignett migration to Australia +

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

Hignett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Hignett, (Baker, James), English convict who was convicted in Knutsford (Nether Knutsford), Cheshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Edwin Fox" on 24th August 1858, arriving in Western Australia, Australia

Contemporary Notables of the name Hignett (post 1700) +

Sam Hignett (1885-1933), English footballer who played for Liverpool (1906-1908)
Richard Graeme Hignett (1972-1992), English cricketer who played for Cheshire (1992-2003)
Craig Hignett (b. 1970), English former footballer and currently manager of Hartlepool United
Alan Hignett (1946-1963), English footballer who played for Liverpool (1963-1966) and Chester (1966-1967)
Mary Hignett (1915-1980), British actress, best known for her role as Edna Hall in the television series All Creatures Great and Small

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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)