Show ContentsHildrith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hildrith family

The surname Hildrith was first found in Berkshire, where the family name was first referenced in the year 1375 when William Hildesly held the estates of Bynham or Benham. East Ilsley, again in Berkshire, was an ancient family seat. "This place was originally called Hildesley, as appears from an inscription on a brass plate in the church, where the name occurs as belonging to an ancient family." 1

Early History of the Hildrith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hildrith research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1538, 1698, 1705, 1710, 1720, 1723, 1724 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Hildrith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hildrith Spelling Variations

Hildrith 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: Hildersley, Hilderley, Hilderly, Hildesly, Hildesley, Hylderly, Hylderly, Hyldersley, Hylderley, Hildreth and many more.

Early Notables of the Hildrith family

Distinguished members of the family include John Hilsey or Hildesleigh d. 1538), Bishop of Rochester who is stated by Wood to have belonged to the Hildsleys of Benham, Berkshire, a branch of the Hildsleys of Hildsley, Berkshire. 2 Mark Hildesley (1698-1772), was Bishop of Sodor and Man, born at Murston, Kent, on 9 Dec. 1698, the eldest surviving son of Mark Hildesley, rector of Murston and also vicar of Sittingbourne from 1705. "In 1710 the father became...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hildrith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hildrith family

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 Hildriths to arrive on North American shores: 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. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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