Show ContentsHatlea History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hatlea family

The surname Hatlea was first found in Bedfordshire at Cockayne Hatley a parish, in the union and hundred of Biggleswade which borders onto Cambridgeshire. 1 2 This parish dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Hattenleia, c. 960 3 and then by the Domesday Book of 1086, the parish was recorded as Hatelai. 4

One of the first on record there was Arnold de Hateleia who was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1198. Later, Agnes de Hatleye was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. 1

There are two other Hatley locations: Hatley (St. George), a parish, in the union of Caxton and Arrington, hundred of Longstow; and Hatley East (St. Dennis), a parish, in the union of Caxton and Arrington, hundred of Armingford, all in Cambridgeshire. 5

The word Hatley literally means "woodland clearing on the hill" from the Old English haett + leah. 3

Early History of the Hatlea family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hatlea research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1685, 1719 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Hatlea History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hatlea Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hatlea are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Hatlea include: Hartley, Hartly, Hatley, Haytley and others.

Early Notables of the Hatlea family

Distinguished members of the family include Simon Hatley (1685-c. 1723), an English sailor and pirate, best remembered for killing an albatross during his second voyage with Alexander Selkirk in...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hatlea Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hatlea family to Ireland

Some of the Hatlea family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hatlea family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hatlea or a variant listed above: Elizabeth Hartley, who settled in Virginia in 1655; Jeremy Hartley settled in Barbados in 1635; Thomas Hartley settled in Virginia in 1642; William Hartley settled in Virginia in 1623..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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