Show ContentsLittlehales History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Littlehales surname comes from the from Old English words "lyttel," meaning "small," and "halh," meaning a "hollow." As such, it may have been a topographic name for such a place, or perhaps a habitational name taken on from a minor place name.

Early Origins of the Littlehales family

The surname Littlehales was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held lands.

Early History of the Littlehales family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Littlehales research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1703, 1792, 1802, 1804, 1817 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Littlehales History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Littlehales Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Littlehays, Littlehayes, Littlehales and many more.

Early Notables of the Littlehales family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Reverend Joseph Littlehales (d. 1804) was the Vicar at Brill, Buckinghamshire, England...
  • Edward Baker Littlehales (d. 1825), gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the British, and was created 1st Baronet Baker, of Ranston, Dorset on 2 September 1802...


West Indies Littlehales migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 1
Littlehales Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Benjamin Littlehales, a servant sent to Barbados in 1670
Littlehales Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Clayton Haines Littlehales, who arrived in Jamaica in 1764

Contemporary Notables of the name Littlehales (post 1700) +

  • George Washington Littlehales (1860-1943), American mathematician, oceanographer, and civil engineer, Chairman of the Section of Physical Oceanography, American Geophysical Union, eponym of three survey ships named USS Littlehales
  • Harry Littlehales (1901-1989), English footballer who played from 1923 to 1932
  • Rev. Charles Gough Littlehales M.A. (1871-1945), English clergyman and cricketer who played for Essex (1896-1904)
  • Alfred "Alf" Littlehales (1867-1942), English professional footballer who played from 1892 to 1898
  • Dianne Littlehales (b. 1950), birth name of Dianne Lee, half of the British folk/pop duo Peters and Lee, active in the 1970s
  • Gerald Littlehales Goodlake (1832-1890), English recipient of the Victoria Cross for deeds in the Crimean War
  • Sir Randolf Littlehales Baker (1879-1959), English Army Lieutenant-Colonel; member of UK Parliament, 4th Baronet of Ranston


The Littlehales 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: Finis coronat opus
Motto Translation: The end crowns the work.




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