Hamlitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Hamlitt family

The surname Hamlitt was first found in Sussex. The name Hamlitt, 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 Hamlitt family

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

Hamlitt Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Hamlet, Hamlett, Hamblet, Hamblett and others.

Early Notables of the Hamlitt family

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

Migration of the Hamlitt family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hamlitt 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)