Heath History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Heath has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived on a heath, which is an area of level, uncultivated land with poor, coarse, undrained soil and rich deposits of peat or peaty humus. The surname Heath belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Heath family

The surname Heath was first found in Durham where it was first listed as Atte-Hethe, Apud Hethe and Del la Hethe in the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1279. 1 The name was denoted for someone who lived on or by a heath, typically filled with heather. 2 Kirby's Quest for Somerset listed Adam atte Hethe and John atte Hethe during the reign of Edward III. 3

Later in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, Robert del Heth was listed. Thomas Atte-Hethe was rector of Ringstead Parva, Norfolk in 1376 and Ralph atte Heythe was rector of Rockland Tofts, Norfolk in 1398. 4

Robert Heete or Robert of Woodstock (d. 1428), was an early "canonist and civilian, presumably a native of Woodstock, Oxfordshire, became scholar of Winchester College in 1401, and in due course scholar of New College, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. and LL.B. " 5

Early History of the Heath family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heath research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1501, 1563, 1567, 1575, 1577, 1578, 1583, 1585, 1599, 1600, 1615, 1627, 1629, 1643, 1649, 1661, 1664, 1672, 1704, 1728 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Heath History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heath Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Heath have been found, including Heath, Hethe and others.

Early Notables of the Heath family

Notables of the family at this time include

Sir Robert Heath (1575-1649), Attorney General of England, and founder of North Carolina and South Carolina. He was the son of Robert Heath of Brasted, Kent, a member of the Inner Temple and was born...
James Heath (1629-1664), was a historian, son of Robert Heath, the king's cutler, who lived in the Strand, was born in London in 1629, and educated in Westminster School. 5
Thomas Heath (fl. 1583), was an English mathematician, born in London and was admitted probationer fellow of All Souls, Oxford, in 1567. 5
John Heath (fl. 1615), was an epigrammatist, born at Stalls, Somersetshire, and entered at Winchester School in 1600 at the age of thirteen. 5
Henry Heath (1599-1643), was a Franciscan, son of John Heath and was baptised at St. John's Church, Peterborough, on 16 Dec. 1599. 5
Nicholas Heath (c.1501-1578), was Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor. He was descended from the Heaths of Apsley, Tamworth, was born in London, about 1501. 5
James Heath (1629-1664), was an English royalist historian, best known for his "Chronicle of the Late Intestine Warr," published in 1661
Benjamin Heath (1704-1766), was an English critic and book-collector, born at Exeter on 20 April 1704, and was eldest son of Benjamin Heath, fuller and merchant of Exeter (born at Exeter about 1672, a...

Heath World Ranking

In the United States, the name Heath is the 545^th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Heath is ranked the 380^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,740 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Heath is the 497^th popular surname with an estimated 1,376 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Heath as 289^th with 21,140 people. 9

Migration of the Heath family to Ireland

Some of the Heath family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heath migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Heath, or a variant listed above:

Heath Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Heath, who arrived in Boston, MA in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon", bound for Roxbury
Mr. Issac Heath, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon", bound for Roxbury 10
Miss Mary Heath, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon", bound for Roxbury 10
Miss Anna Heath, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon", bound for Roxbury 10
Mr. Thomas Heath, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Heath Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Robert Heath, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1700 11
John Heath, who arrived in America in 1764 11
Benjamin Heath, who arrived in America in 1799 11

Heath Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Heath, aged 44, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 11
Joseph Heath, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 11
Noble Heath, aged 17, who arrived in Maine in 1812 11
William Heath, who landed in Texas in 1835 11
William Heath, who landed in New York in 1846 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Heath migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Heath Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ebenezer Heath, who landed in Canada in 1828
Morris Heath, who arrived in Canada in 1841

Heath migration to Australia +

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

Heath Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Charles Heath, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Heath, English convict who was convicted in Coventry, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Heath Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Heath, British convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. John Heath, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Richard Heath, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Joseph Heath, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. John Heath, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life for machine breaking, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Heath 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:

Heath Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Patrick Heath, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Charles Heath, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Sir John Franklin" arriving in New Zealand in 1841 17
J Heath, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1844
H A Heath, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1845
Mr. Thomas Heath, British settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Heath 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. 18

Heath Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Heath, aged 30 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 11

Contemporary Notables of the name Heath (post 1700) +

James Edward "Jimmy" Heath (1926-2020), nicknamed Little Bird, an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and big band leader
Rowena Dolores Heath (1926-2023), also known as Dodie Heath and sometimes as Dody Heath, an American actress of stage, film, and television
Benjamin Heath (1704-1766), English classical scholar and bibliophile
Thomas Heath (1719-1773), English scientific and mathematical instrument maker
Sir Thomas Little Heath (1861-1940), British civil servant, mathematician, classical scholar, historian of ancient Greek mathematics, translator, and mountaineer
Air Marshall Sir Maurice Heath (1909-1998), former Chief of Staff Allied Air Forces, Central Europe
Mr. Scott Heath B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to LGBT community 19
Mrs. Lorraine Margaret Heath O.B.E. (b. 1967), British Chief Executive Officer for Uffculme Academy Trust, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Education 20
Lieutenant-General Sir Lewis Macclesfield Heath KBE, CB, CIE, DSO, MC (1885-1954), British and Indian Army officer during World War I and World War II
Prime Minister Sir Edward Richard George Heath (1916-2005), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Heath family +

Empress of Ireland

Master John Heath (1911-1914), American Second Class Passenger from Chicago, Illinois, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
Mr. Hugh Heath (1886-1914), American Second Class Passenger from Chicago, Illinois, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21

HMS Hood

Mr. David J Heath (b. 1912), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Watford, Hertfordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Francis Mortimer Heath, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 23
Mr. David Graham Heath, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. Charles Andrew Heath, British Musician, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23

HMS Repulse

Mr. Leonard Heath, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 24

HMS Royal Oak

H. Heath, British Engine Room Artificer 4th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 25

USS Arizona

Mr. Alfred Grant Heath, American Seaman First Class from Wisconsin, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26

The Heath 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: Espere mieux
Motto Translation: Hope for better.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html