Show ContentsHattersley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hattersley family

The surname Hattersley was first found in North Yorkshire at Chapel Haddlesey, a village and civil parish about five miles from Selby. West Haddlesey and East Haddlesey are townships nearby. The villages dates back to c. 1030 when they were known Hathel-sae and probably derived their name from the Old English words "hathal" + "sae," collectively meaning "marshy pool in a hollow." 1 Some of the earliest record of the name appear in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 where Wilhelmus de Hathelsay, Johannes Hathelsay and Juliana Hathelsay were all listed at Selby. 2

Early History of the Hattersley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hattersley research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hattersley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hattersley Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hattersley include Haddersley, Haddisley, Haddlesey, Hathersley, Hattersley, Hathersleigh, Haddersleigh, Haddelsey, Hathelsey, Hattelsey, Addersley, Attersleigh, Hadsley, Adsley, Attersley, Hadilsey, Hadelsey, Addilsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Hattersley family

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


United States Hattersley migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hattersley or a variant listed above:

Hattersley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Hattersley, who settled in Maryland in 1763
  • Josiah Hattersley, who arrived in Maryland in 1775
Hattersley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Levi Hattersley, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1818
  • Mark Hattersley, who arrived in New York in 1831
  • Miss Elizabeth W. Hattersley, aged 23, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Mary A. Hattersley, aged 22, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Australia Hattersley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hattersley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Hattersley, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Mr. William Hattersley, English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • Albert Hattersley, aged 16, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"
  • John Hattersley, aged 34, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"
  • Jane Hattersley, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Hattersley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hattersley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Hattersley, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Hattersley, aged 22, a cabinet maker, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 5
  • Sarah Hattersley, aged 21, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Hattersley (post 1700) +

  • Geoffrey Francis Hattersley -Smith FRSC, FRGS, FAINA (b. 1923), English-born geologist and glaciologist
  • Prof. Andrew Tym Hattersley C.B.E., F.R.S., British Professor of Molecular Medicine for the University of Exeter and Consultant Physician for Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 17th June 2017, for services to Medical Science
  • Roy Sydney George Hattersley PC, FRSL (b. 1932), Baron Hattersley, a British Labour politician, author and journalist from Sheffield, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (1983-1992), Shadow Home Secretary (1987-1992)
  • J. Martin Hattersley (b. 1932), Canadian lawyer and politician, Leader of the Social Credit Party of Canada (1981-1983)
  • Giles Hattersley (b. 1979), British journalist at British Vogue
  • Camilla Hattersley (1995-2016), British swimmer at the 2016 Summer Olympics
  • Andrew Tym Hattersley CBE FRS (b. 1958), British Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Exeter
  • David Hattersley Warner (1941-2022), English Primetime Emmy Award winning actor from Manchester, England, known for his many appearances in the Star Trek franchise

HMAS Sydney II


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  4. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


Houseofnames.com on Facebook