| ![Show Contents]() Hadkess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Hadkess family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their name is derived from the Norman personal name Roger. Hotchkis was a baptismal name which is a pet form of Roger 1 as in "the son of little Hodge." 2 As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures. Early Origins of the Hadkess familyThe surname Hadkess was first found in Shropshire where the name "is a characteristic Shropshire name, and one especially numerous in the district of Church Stretton." 3 The first record of the name was William Hochekys who was listed in Shropshire in 1470. 4 Early History of the Hadkess familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hadkess research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1453, 1470, 1645, 1677, 1690, 1765, 1790, 1826, 1836, 1872 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Hadkess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hadkess Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Hotchkiss, Hotchkis and others. Early Notables of the Hadkess familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Herman Hotchkiss (1765-1836), an early settler of East Haven, Connecticut credited as founder of Fair Haven, Connecticut. Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss (1826-1885) was one...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hadkess Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hadkess familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Hadkess or a variant listed above: Richard Hotchkiss, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Adam Hotchkiss settled in New England in 1659; William Hotchkiss settled in Maryland in 1775.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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England
Scotland
