Halpennay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Halpennay is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who because of his physical characteristics was referred to as Halfpenn. This person had a slim or slight build and was given this surname as a means of identity. The surname may have also local origins, which would explain Halfpenn Field in Cambridgeshire. The residents gave half a penny per acre to repair the Needham Dyke in that county. 1 A bord halfpenny, or brod halfpenny, was a fee paid in markets and fairs by the Saxons to the lord for the privilege of having a bord or bench for the sale of articles.

"Halfpenny is found written Halpeny and Halpeni; and Allpenny and Alpenny are perhaps the same name. " 2

Early Origins of the Halpennay family

The surname Halpennay was first found in Worcestershire where Adam Halpeni was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. A few years later, Richard Halfpany was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Halpeni, Oxfordshire; Richard Halpeny, Oxfordshire; and Walter Halpeni, Devon as all holding lands at that time. 3

In Somerset, Juliana Halpeny and Robert Halpeny, were listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward I.) 4

Early History of the Halpennay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Halpennay research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1729, 1736, 1752, 1816 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Halpennay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Halpennay Spelling Variations

Halpennay has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Halpennay have been found, including Halfpenny, Halpin(Limerick), Halpeny(Monaghan), Halpern and many more.

Early Notables of the Halpennay family

Distinguished members of the family include William Halfpenny, alias Michael Hoare (fl. 1752), who styles himself architect and carpenter on the title-page of some of his works, appears to have resided at Richmond, Surrey, and in London during the first half of the eighteenth century. " Batty Langley describes him in his ‘Ancient Masonry’ (1736), p. 147, as ‘Mr. William Halfpeny, alias Hoare, lately of Richmond in Surrey, carpenter,’ and seems...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Halpennay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Halpennay family to Ireland

Some of the Halpennay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 113 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Halpennay family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Halpennays to arrive on North American shores: Robert Halfpenny arrived in Annapolis Maryland in 1725; Michael Halfpenny settled in New England in 1753; along with Peter; Thomas Halfpenny settled in Norfolk, Virginia in 1823..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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.