Hamblit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Hamblit family

The surname Hamblit was first found in Sussex. The name Hamblit, like many surnames, began as a personal name, in this case a variation on the more common name Hammond or as "the son of Hamon." 1 The surname was derived from Haimo, a Germanic shortened form of any of several names beginning with "haim," an old German word meaning "home." The fact that the first bearer of the name chose a personal name for his surname may indicate that he was related to someone of the name or that it was the name of the lord to whom he owed allegiance, or it may have been an arbitrary choice. The name was also frequented in Cheshire and Lancashire as the Wills at Chester will attest with the entry of Ellen Hamlett, of Roby, Lancashire in 1685. 1

Early History of the Hamblit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hamblit research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1568 is included under the topic Early Hamblit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hamblit Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Hamlet, Hamlett, Hamblet, Hamblett and others.

Early Notables of the Hamblit family

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

Migration of the Hamblit family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hamblit or a variant listed above: John Hamlet, who arrived in Boston in 1634; as well as David Hamlett, who arrived in Virginia in 1665.

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)