Exten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Exten family

The surname Exten was first found in Devon and or Cornwall. "It may also be of Cornish origin, for Tonkin derives Hexworthy, the name of a barton in Lanwhitton or Lawhitton, from hesk, hesken, a reed or bulrush; and Hext may be derived from a plural, perhaps heskydd." 1

"This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the highest'; Anglo-Saxon hext,' highest' " 2

In Somerset, Nicholas Exte and Walter Hexte were both listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III) 3

Early History of the Exten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Exten research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1091, 1327, 1399, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1538, 1600, 1631, 1665 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Exten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Exten Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Exten has been spelled many different ways, including Hexte, Hext, Heckst, Hekst, Exte, Ext, Eckst and others.

Early Notables of the Exten family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Exten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Exten family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Extens to arrive in North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. 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)
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.