Hochay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient history of the Hochay name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the regions of Hockley in Essex and Wales. The surname Hochay originally derived from the Old English word hoccsleah which referred to someone who lived close to hills. 1

The Hockey variant was derived from the "Anglo-Saxon personal name Hoc, Hoc(c)a, with the diminutive suffix -y." 2

Early Origins of the Hochay family

The surname Hochay was first found in Essex at Hockley, a parish, in the union and hundred of Rochford, about 2¼ miles from Rayleigh. 3 4 5 This place dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Hocheleia. 6

And this is where we found Michael de Hockele listed in the Feet of Fines for 1203. Over one hundred years later in Worcestershire, Nicholas de Hockelaye was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 7

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only listing for the family, that of William de Hokkele in Huntingdonshire. 8 In Somerset, Thomas de Hokkeleghe was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 9

Early History of the Hochay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hochay research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1273, 1593, 1606 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Hochay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hochay Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hochay include Hockley, Hockly, Hokeley, Hokelley and others.

Early Notables of the Hochay family

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

Migration of the Hochay family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hochay or a variant listed above: James Hockley settled in Maryland in 1634; Thomas Hockley settled in New England in 1765; Thomas Hockley and wife settled in New York in 1820; David Hockley settled in Bermuda in 1850..

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.