Show ContentsHait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished and ancient surname Hait is Old English in origin, and traces its history back to the Middle Ages, when the island of Britain was inhabited by the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the Old English "haga" or the Old Norse "hagi," which both mean "dweller by the haw." It is likely that the name was first borne by someone who lived near a hedged field or enclosure. Although now the name is pronounced as a single syllable, it was originally pronounced as two, as can be seen from the spelling “Hag-he”. Most likely, the second syllable was a hard “g” sound; the name was probably pronounced “hah-geh”.

Early Origins of the Hait family

The surname Hait was first found in Yorkshire, where Jollan de Hagh was recorded in 1229. The Scottish branch lived in Bemersyde for many centuries after their arrival in Scotland.

Early History of the Hait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hait research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1800, 1861, 1921 and 1928 are included under the topic Early Hait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hait Spelling Variations

The name Hait, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Haig, Haigh, Hague, Hait, Haight, Hate, Haga and others.

Early Notables of the Hait family

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


United States Hait migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Hait family, or who bore a variation of the surname Hait were

Hait Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • T Hait, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 1

Canada Hait migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hait Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Israel Hait, who arrived in New Brunswick in 1783
  • Mr. Israel Hait U.E. born in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 passenger aboard the Union Transport 2
  • Mr. James Hait U.E. born in Connecticut, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1804 in Newfield, Connecticut, USA 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Hait (post 1700) +

  • Zora L. Hait, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oklahoma, 1940 3
  • Thaddeus Hait, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1872 3


The Hait 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: Sola Virtus Invicta
Motto Translation: Virtue alone is invincible


  1. 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)
  2. 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
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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