Show ContentsHayes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hayes is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hayes family lived in Herefordshire. This name, however, does not refer to that municipality, but is topographical in nature and indicates that the original bearer lived near an enclosure of some sort. It derives from the Old English word haye, which means enclosure. 1 Another source claims the name was for a "dweller at the hedge or hedged enclosure; keeper of the hedges or fences; one who came from Hayes (enclosure.)" 2

Early Origins of the Hayes family

The surname Hayes was first found in Herefordshire where Bartholomew de la Hase held a fief in 1165. He claimed descent from Hayes near Blois, Normandy. 3

Early rolls had a mixture of entries in the singular and the now more popular plural form: Richard de Hay in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1170; Robert de la Haie, a Knight Templar for Hertfordshire in 1185; Roger del Hayes in the Hundredorum Rolls for Norfolk in 1275; Henry del Haye and Stephen in the Haye in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275; and Thomas atte Heye in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 4

From this early origin, the name was listed in a few locations, specifically, Norfolk, where some of the first records of the name were Edorard de lis Heys and John del Heys who were listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls listed Nichola de la Hay in Lincolnshire. 5 William de Hayes was listed in Northamptonshire in the 13th century as a follower of John Giffard (1232-1299), the English nobleman, but had his house plundered after the Battle of Evesham in 1265. 5

Early History of the Hayes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hayes research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1637, 1641, 1663, 1672, 1678, 1686, 1694, 1703, 1706, 1707, 1712, 1729, 1731, 1734, 1760, 1768, 1777 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Hayes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hayes Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Hayes are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hayes include Hayes, Hayse, Hays and others.

Early Notables of the Hayes family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Thomas Hayes of London
  • Sir James Hayes (1637-1694), founding Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663, Secretary to Prince Rupert and first Deputy-Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1672, eponym of Hayes River, Canada
  • Samuel Hayes (1641-1712), Deputy of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut from Norwalk (1686-1703)

Hayes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hayes is the 100th most popular surname with an estimated 206,421 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Hayes is ranked the 366th most popular surname with an estimated 12,556 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hayes is the 269th popular surname with an estimated 164 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Hayes as 107th with 24,748 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Hayes as 190th with 2,944 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hayes as 164th with 33,149 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Hayes family to Ireland

Some of the Hayes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 154 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hayes migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Hayes, or a variant listed above:

Hayes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Hayes, who arrived in Virginia in 1617 12
  • Hugh Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1635 12
  • Richard Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1635 12
  • Tho Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1637 12
  • Mary Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1637 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hayes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Margaret Hayes, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 12
  • William Hayes, who landed in Baltimore, NW in 1720 12
  • Johan Hayes, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 12
  • Judah Hayes, who landed in New York, NY in 1741 12
  • John Hayes, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 12
Hayes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Matthias Hayes, aged 32, who arrived in Virginia in 1813 12
  • Walter C Hayes, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 12
  • Alexander Hayes, who landed in New York in 1824 12
  • Eleanor Hayes, who arrived in New York in 1824 12
  • Patrick Hayes, who arrived in Aranzazu or Copano, Tex in 1829 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hayes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Michael I Hayes, who arrived in Arkansas in 1903 12

Canada Hayes migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hayes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • James Hayes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • James Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1783
  • Mr. Thomas Hayes U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 24 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York 13
  • Mrs. HannahHayes U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 75 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York 13
  • Mr. Peter Hayes U.E. (b. 1755) born in Rochester, New Hampshire, USA who settled in Shefford Township, Eastern Townships [La Haute-Yamaska Regional County Municipality], Quebec c. 1784 he died in 1834, an associate of Capt. John Savage, married to Sarah Berry they had 6 children 13
Hayes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Hayes, who arrived in Canada in 1830
  • Michael Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1831
  • David Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
  • Jeremiah Hayes, aged 28, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Timothy Hayes, aged 25, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Hayes migration to Australia +

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

Hayes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Sir. Henry Browne Hayes, (Sir Henry Brown Hayes), (b. 1762), aged 39, Irish Gentleman and Mason who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life for abduction with intent to extort money, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1832 in Cork, Ireland it is believed he started the foundation of Freemasonry in Australia 14
  • Miss Ann Hayes, (Margath), (b. 1783), aged 30, Irish servant who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. William Hayes, English shoe maker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Miss Sarah Hayes, (b. 1798), aged 20, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for house robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Thomas Hayes, English convict who was convicted in South Holland, (Parts of Holland), Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Hayes 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:

Hayes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Hayes, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 18
  • John Hayes, aged 45, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
  • Hannah Hayes, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
  • Isabella Hayes, aged 7, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
  • Thomas Hayes, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Hayes 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. 19
Hayes Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Hayes, who settled in Barbados in 1678

Contemporary Notables of the name Hayes (post 1700) +

  • Helen Hayes (1900-1993), American Actress, winner of Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy awards and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • President Rutherford B Hayes (1822-1893), American soldier and politician, 19th President of the United States (1877-1881), 29th and 32nd Governor of Ohio (1876-1877) and (1868-1872)
  • Philip Harold Hayes (1940-2023), American politician and lawyer from Indiana, County Attorney of Vanderburgh County, Indiana (2001-2002), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana (1975-1977)
  • Jaxson Reed Hayes (b. 2000), American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans
  • Kevin Patrick Hayes (b. 1992), American professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers
  • Hunter Easton Hayes (b. 1991), American multi-genre singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist
  • Brian Hayes (b. 1949), American scientist, columnist and author
  • Leah Hayes (b. 2005), American swimmer
  • James Ryan Hayes (1989-2021), American professional ice hockey right winger for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and the New Jersey Devils from 2011-2019 who died at the age of 31
  • Eugene Antonio "Geno" Hayes (1987-2021), American NFL football linebacker who played from 2008 to 2014 who died from liver disease, at age 33 on April 26, 2021
  • ... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Joseph Arthur Hayes, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
  • Mr. Edward Hayes, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
  • Mr. Ernest C. Hayes (d. 1914), British 1st Assistant Purser from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
  • Ms. Emma Hayes (1873-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
Flight 191
  • D Hayes (d. 1979), American passenger from USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 22
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. William  Hayes (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. John Hayes, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
  • Mr. George Hayes, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. John Hayes, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
  • Mr. John Osler Chattock Hayes (b. 1913), "Joc" English Signal Officer from Dartmouth, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
HMS Royal Oak
  • Thomas Hayes (1920-1939), Irish Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. John Henry Lamie Hayes, English Junior 5th Engineer from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
SS Atlantic
  • Mr. Thomas Hayes, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
USS Arizona
  • Mr. John Doran Hayes, American Boatswain's Mate First Class from California, 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 28
  • Mr. Kenneth Merle Hayes, American Fireman First Class from California, 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 28


Suggested Readings for the name Hayes +

  • Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Bazeal Hayes of Charley, Lawrence County, Kentucky by Lora Thelma Chandler Walter.
  • Hayes and Allied Families of Gloucester County, Virginia: The Descendants of William Hayes and Elizabeth Foster by Melinde Hatfield.

  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. 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)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. 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)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. 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)
  13. 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
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  15. Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
  23. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  24. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  25. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  26. 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
  27. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  28. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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