Show ContentsHawxlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hawxlay family

The surname Hawxlay was first found in Lancashire where William de Hauekesle was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1246. Later, Richard de Hauekeslowe was listed in Cheshire in 1321. The name is originally from Hawkesley Hall in King Norton, Worcestershire and literally meant 'dweller at the clearing frequented by hawks.' 1

Alternatively the name could have originated in Hauxley, in the parish of Warkworth, union of Alnwick, E. division of Coquetdale ward, N. division of Northumberland. 2 3

Early History of the Hawxlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hawxlay research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1384, 1386, 1387, 1390, 1393, 1408, 1424, 1425, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hawxlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hawxlay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hawxlay have been found, including Hawksley, Hawkesley, Hakesley, Horkesley, Horksley, Haxley, Hawxley, Howxley and many more.

Early Notables of the Hawxlay family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Haxey (d. 1425), Treasurer of York minister, may have been a native of Haxey, in the isle of Axholme in Lincolnshire, to which village he left benefactions in his will. In 1384 he became rector of Pulham in Norfolk, which he exchanged in the same year for the living of St. Nicholas Cole-Abbey in the city of London. Early in 1386 he was presented by the king to the rectory of Toppesfield in Essex, but resigned it after half a year...
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hawxlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hawxlay family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hawxlay, or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.


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