Show ContentsHassets History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Hassets surname reach back to the language of the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Hassets surname comes from someone having lived in Cumberland, on the Borderlands between Scotland and England. As the name is made up of the elements blen, which means hill and hey which means shelter, the name was often broken up. In other words, entries were sometimes for the entire name say, Blenarhassett and other times just Hassett.

Early Origins of the Hassets family

The surname Hassets was first found in Cumberland, where their early family seats were at Blenerhasset and Flimby Hall. One of the earliest records of the name appeared on a census taken in that county during the reign of King Richard II (1367-c.1400) where Thomas Blennerhasset was found in Carlisle. Of interest is a note in the Feet of Fines that Thomas Bleverhasset was appointed rector of Hardingham, county Norfolk at the age of 11, by the Pope's dispensation. 1

Early History of the Hassets family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hassets research. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1550, 1598, 1610, 1625, 1652, 1687, 1692, 1695, 1703, 1712, 1727, 1741, 1758, 1809 and 1821 are included under the topic Early Hassets History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hassets Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Hassets has been spelled Blennerhasset, Blennerhassett, Blenerhasset, Blenner, Hassett, Hassetts and many more.

Early Notables of the Hassets family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Thomas Blenerhasset (1550?-1625?), an English poet and writer on Ireland, a younger son of William Blenerhasset of Horsford Park, near Norwich, who died in 1598. "He was probably born about 1550, and was, according to his own account, educated at Cambridge without taking a degree. He subsequently entered the army, and was stationed for some years as captain at Guernsey Castle. At the beginning of...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hassets Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hassets family to Ireland

Some of the Hassets family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 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 Hassets family

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Hassets to North America: William Blennerhassett who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; Joseph Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1879; Wendolin Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1861.



The Hassets Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortes fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the Bold.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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