Habbersty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Habbersty date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Habbersty family lived in the village of Hardisty Hill located in the parish of Fewston, in the county of Yorkshire. In it's Old English form this place-name was originally Hardolfsty with its origin in the name Hardulf. "The Hardistys hail from the parish of Fewston, seven miles from Otley. The name is still familiar there, and Hardisty Hill is a spot there. The Hardistys (chiefly farmers) have probably not moved from their home for six centuries." 1

Early Origins of the Habbersty family

The surname Habbersty was first found in Yorkshire, where the first record was of John de Hardolfsty who was listed as a Freeman of York in 1379. Later, William Hardosty was listed as a freeman in 1450 and John Hardesty was later listed as freeman in 1659. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include entries for Johannes de Hardolfsty and Stephanus de Hardolfsty. "These instances come from Timble Great (Villa de Tymble), a village in the parish of Fewston. The little stock has ramified well. Many of our largest represented surnames hail from a single pair located in a small spot. A large family of boys, who marry, and beget boys, soon sets the ball rolling." 1

Early History of the Habbersty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Habbersty research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1379 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Habbersty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Habbersty Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Habbersty are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Habbersty include: Hardisty, Hardesty, Hardistry, Hardest and others.

Early Notables of the Habbersty family

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

Migration of the Habbersty family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Habbersty or a variant listed above: George Hardest, who sailed to Virginia in 1651 and John Hardisty to Maryland in 1813.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)