Hoitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Hoitt is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the village of Ayott in the county of Hertfordshire. The surname Hoitt can be translated as at the high-gate, a gate that led into a protected enclosure. 1 2

However, two other sources claims the name was "derived from a geographical locality. 'Of High-gate,' corrupted to Hy-yate, and finally Hyett. Probably Highgate in London is referred to as the instances are mostly found in that locality." 3 4

Early Origins of the Hoitt family

The surname Hoitt was first found in Hertfordshire at Ayot(t), of which there are two villages: Ayot(t) St. Lawrence, a parish, in the union of Welwyn, hundred of Broadwater; and Ayot(t) St. Peter, a parish, in the union of Welwyn, hundred of Broadwater. The Ayot(t) St. Lawrence "parish during the heptarchy, formed part of the possessions of the last of the Saxon monarchs; and a spot in the immediate vicinity, still called Dane End, commemorates a signal defeat of the Danes by King Ethelwulph." 5 Collectively the place names were listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Aiete. 6

The first record of the family was actually found in Somerset, where John atte Hagheyate was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 7

From this entry we found James Hyet listed in London in 1514, John Hyett in Worcester in 1539, and William Hiatt in Leicestershire in 1599. 4

Early History of the Hoitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoitt research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1583, 1601, 1608, 1618, 1628, 1641, 1651, 1658, 1677, 1681, 1698, 1722, 1727, 1730, 1738, 1859 and 1943 are included under the topic Early Hoitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoitt Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hoitt are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Hoitt include: Hyatt, Huyet, Hyett, Hyat, Hyet, Hytte and others.

Early Notables of the Hoitt family

Distinguished members of the family include Walter Hoyt (Haite, Hayte, Hoit, Haight) (1618-1698) from West Hatch, Somerset, he emigrated to America in 1628 and became a founding settler of Norwalk, Connecticut and later served in the General Court of the Connecticut Colony between 1658 and 1681. Charles Hyett (c. 1677-1738), of Painswick House, near Gloucester, Gloucestershire...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoitt family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hoitt or a variant listed above: Michael Huyet, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749; Jane Hyatt settled in Virginia in 1663; Samuel Hyatt settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants.

Contemporary Notables of the name Hoitt (post 1700) +

Ira G. Hoitt, American Republican politician, Member of California State Assembly 10th District, 1881-83; California superintendent of public instruction, 1887-91 8
Charles W. Hoitt, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Hampshire, 1900; Member of New Hampshire State Senate 19th District, 1903-04 8

The Hoitt 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: Fac et spera
Motto Translation: Do and hope.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. 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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html