Show ContentsHakewel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Hakewel name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Hawkwell, in Essex. The place-name Hawkwell first appeared in the Domesday Book as Hacuuella. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English words haca, which meant "winding, wandering," and wella, which meant "spring" or "stream." As it is unlikely that a spring would wander, this place-name refers to a stream. Therefore, the surname Hakewel means "dweller by the winding stream." 1

Early Origins of the Hakewel family

The surname Hakewel was first found in Essex, on the south-east coast of England, where Roger de Hakewell was the first record of the family in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

Early History of the Hakewel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hakewel research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1574, 1578, 1649, 1655, 1771 and 1830 are included under the topic Early Hakewel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hakewel Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hakewel were recorded, including Hackwell, Hackwill, Hakewell, Hakewill and others.

Early Notables of the Hakewel family

Distinguished members of the family include William Hakewill (1574-1655), an English legal antiquarian and MP, studied at Exeter College, Oxford. George Hakewill (1578-1649), was an English divine, and third son of John Hakewill, merchant, of Exeter, who married Thomazin, daughter of John Peryam; he was therefore a younger brother of William Hakewill. 3 William...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hakewel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hakewel family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hakewel family emigrate to North America: John Hackwell, who sailed to Boston Massachusetts in 1635 at the age of eighteen.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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