Show ContentsHacksfert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Hacksfert has two possible origins: the first having derived from the place name Hackford, one of two parishes found in Norfolk; and secondly from Hackforth, a township in the parish of Hornby, North Riding of Yorkshire. Both are derived from 'the ford of Hake,' a great personal name. "Both Hackford and Hackforth are, I suspect, of the same Norfolk parentage; v. Ford and Forth." [1]

Hackford, Norfolk dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed near Wymondham and was recorded in its Latin form, Hakeforda. [2]

Hackforth in the North Riding of Yorkshire similarly dates back to the Domesday Book when it was listed as Acheford. [2]

Both place names derive their name from "ford with a hatch or bend," from the Old English "haecc" or "haca" + "ford." [2]

Early Origins of the Hacksfert family

The surname Hacksfert was first found in Norfolk where Robert de hackford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1196. Later Walter de Hakeford was listed in 1262 and much later, John Hakfurth was a Freeman of York in 1472. [3]

Nicholas de Hacford was Bailiff of Norwich in 1263 [4] and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following in Norfolk as all holding lands there at that time: Maltilda de Hakeford; Ranulph de Hakeford; and Adam de Hacford. [1]

The source, Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. includes an entry for Thomas de Hakeford in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign)

Early History of the Hacksfert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hacksfert research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1501 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Hacksfert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hacksfert Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hackford, Hacksford, Hawksford, Hawkford, Hawkesford and many more.

Early Notables of the Hacksfert family

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

Migration of the Hacksfert family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hacksfert or a variant listed above: Ephraim Axford who settled in Virginia in 1670; Richard Axford who landed in Maryland in 1660; William Hawksford settled in Maryland in 1775.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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