Hunt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Hunt

What does the name Hunt mean?

The name Hunt finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a hunter. The surname Hunt is derived from the Old English word hunta, which means hunter. 1

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae listed Robert Le Huant in Normandy in 1198. 2

The name is "well distributed through England, except in the north, where its place is supplied by Hunter, which has the same signification. It is best represented in the south of England, especially in the county of Dorset, and after that in those of Wilts and Somerset." 3

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales includes and old poem about the name "With hunte and home, and houndes him beside."

Early Origins of the Hunt family

The surname Hunt was first found in Sussex where Humphrey le Hunte, was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1203. Later Ralphe Hunte was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire of 1219. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following early entries for the family: Alice le Hunte in Oxfordshire; and Thomas le Hunte in Cambridgeshire. 5

Kirby's Quest lists the following in Somerset: Robert le Hunte and Robert le Honte, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III. 6

Early History of the Hunt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hunt research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1641, 1644, 1659, 1662, 1680, 1705 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hunt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunt Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hunt has been recorded under many different variations, including Hunt, Hunter, Huntar and others.

Early Notables of the Hunt family

Robert Hunt (c. 1609-1680), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Ilchester (1641-1644), and Somerset (1659)
Arabella Hunt (1662-1705), an English vocalist and lutenist, celebrated for her beauty and talents

Hunt World Ranking

the United States, the name Hunt is the 148^th most popular surname with an estimated 156,681 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Hunt is ranked the 238^th most popular surname with an estimated 16,871 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hunt is the 58^th popular surname with an estimated 444 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Hunt as 92^nd with 26,664 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Hunt as 83^rd with 4,473 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Hunt as 85^th with 53,604 people. 12

Migration of the Hunt family to Ireland

Some of the Hunt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunt migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hunt or a variant listed above:

Hunt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Hunt, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 14
Nicholas Hunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
John Hunt, who settled in Virginia in 1622
Enoch, Ephriam and John Hunt, who all, who arrived in Boston in 1630
Edmund Hunt, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1634 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Lancelott Hunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 14
Elinor Hunt, who landed in Virginia in 1705 14
Temperence Hunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 14
Hannaway Hunt, who landed in Virginia in 1714 14
Abigail Hunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Hunt, aged 40, who arrived in New York in 1812 14
Deliverance Hunt, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1813 14
Wilson A Hunt, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 14
Matthew Hunt, who landed in New York in 1824 14
George Hunt, who arrived in New York in 1836 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Richard Henry Hunt, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish carpenter from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, USA 15

Hunt migration to Canada +

Hunt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jane Hunt, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Oliver Hunt, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Lt. Cosby Hunt U.E., "Casby, Crosby" born in Philadelphia, USA who settled in King's County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he enlisted in 1777 served in the New York Volunteers 3rd Battalion he die din 1804 in Saint John, New Brunswick, married to Sarah have 1 child 16
Mr. Edward Hunt U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 16
Mr. John Hunt U.E. born in Philadelphia, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Martin Hunt, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1808
Mary Hunt, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1822
Margaret Hunt, aged 40, a widow, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Legatus" from London, England
John Hunt, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Legatus" from London, England
S. Hunt, aged 15, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Legatus" from London, England
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Robert Hunt, (b. 1767), aged 22, British settler convicted at Lancaster, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Miss Susannah Hunt, (n?e Barnes), (1749 - 1814), aged 40, British settler convicted in Ipswich, Suffolk, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Mr. James Hunt, (1767 - 1790), aged 22, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing lead, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Mr. John Hunt, (1762 - 1816), aged 27, British settler convicted at Hampshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 14 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14

Second Fleet

Mr. William Hunt, (Hunter), (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Flintshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. Anthony Hunt, British settler convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Hunt Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Hunt, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Joseph Hunt, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Miss Sarah Hunt, (Antt), English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18

Hunt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Benjamin Hunt, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Miss Hannah Hunt, British Convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. Thomas Hunt, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Miss Elizabeth Ann Hunt, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr.Thomas Hunt, (d. 1853), British settler who was convicted in London Gaol Delivery for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt 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:

Hunt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Hunt, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1830
Robert Hunt, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
George Hunt, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Aurora
Henry Hunt, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
Mr. Thomas Hunt, (b. 1792), aged 48, British agricultural labourer travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunt 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. 23

Hunt Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Leonard Hunt, (b. 1597), aged 38, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24

Hunt Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Bryan Hunt, who arrived in Barbados in 1709-1710 14
Isaac Hunt, who landed in Barbados in 1755 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Hunt (post 1700) +

James Walter Hunt (1939-2025), American film actor, appeared in 35 pictures (1945-1953), best known for his role as David in Invaders from Mars (1953)
Thomas James "Tommy" Hunt (1933-2025), American soul/northern soul singer, inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001
Charles James Hunt (1933-2025), known as Tommy Hunt, American soul/northern soul singer, and a 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
Richard Hunt (1935-2023), American sculptor, "the foremost African-American abstract sculptor and artist of public sculpture"
Henry Jackson Hunt (1819-1889), American Chief of Artillery in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War
Norma Hunt (d. 2023), American wife of former Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt until his death in 2006
George Nelson Hunt III (1931-2022), American prelate, Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island from 1980 to 1994
Geraldine Hunt (1945-2022), née Milligan, an American R&B singer best known for the 1980 No. 1 Hot Dance Music/Club Play hit "Can't Fake the Feeling"
Marsha Hunt (1917-2022), American actress, model, and activist who was blacklisted by Hollywood film studio executives in the 1950s during McCarthyism
... (Another 249 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hunt family +

Dunbar

Miss Hunt, Australian passenger who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. Thomas William Dean Hunt (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
Mrs. Beatrice Hunt (1878-1914), née Meddings Canadian Third Class Passenger from Windsor, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
Miss Eleanor de Vere Hunt (1861-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
Dr Rennsaleer Hunt (1858-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 26
... (Another 21 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"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
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html