Hitchman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Hitchman is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the Highmore family who lived in Cumberland in Armathwaite. The surname Hitchman originally derived from this family who later branched to Liverpool. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Hitchman family

The surname Hitchman was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat in the vicinity of what is now Liverpool. Although many historians believe the name to mean a relationship to a brother in law, we think this to be too convenient, over simplified. It is most likely to be an interpretation of Highmore, a Cumberland family of Armathwaite, a branch of which moved south to Liverpool in early times before the area was even known as Liverpool.

Early History of the Hitchman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hitchman research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1584 and 1591 are included under the topic Early Hitchman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hitchman Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hitchman has been spelled many different ways, including Hitchmough, Hichmough, Hitchmow, Hichmow, Hickmough, Hickmow, Hitchmoe, Hickmott, Hitchmo, Hickmoe, Hytchmough, Hytchmoe, Hytchmow and many more.

Early Notables of the Hitchman family

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

Hitchman migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hitchmans to arrive in North America:

Hitchman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Hitchman, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, he died in Bermuda 1

Hitchman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Felix Hitchman, who settled in New York in 1823
Conrad Hitchman, who arrived in New York in 1832
Joseph John Hitchman, who settled in Allegheny Co. Pennsylvania in 1893

Hitchman migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hitchman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Hitchman, aged 32, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
Mary Hitchman, aged 36, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
Hannah Hitchman, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
John Hitchman, aged 10, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
Eliza Hitchman, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hitchman (post 1700) +

William Hitchman, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 21st District, 1868-71; Speaker of the New York State Assembly, 1868, 1870-71
William Hitchman (b. 1830), American politician, Delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867–1868, Member of the New York State Assembly in 1868, 1869, 1870 and 1871; Speaker of the New York Assembly in 1868, 1870 and 1871
Frederick Lionel Hitchman (1901-1969), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey defenceman who played from 1922 to 1934

Citations +

Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm