Headworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Headworth family

The surname Headworth was first found in Yorkshire. However, the township of Monkton in Durham had an early significance to the family. "This place was a very early possession of the monastery of Jarrow, whence the name is derived; and afterwards was the property of the Hedworths of Harraton, for the alienation of which, John Hedworth had licence in the first year of Bishop Sever, 'in order to raise certain trusts and uses therein.' " 1

And the parish of Southwick in Durham is also of particular interest to the family. "The estate was once the property of a family named Suthwyk, and afterwards formed part of the possessions of the Hedworths." 1

Early History of the Headworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Headworth research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1499, 1510, 1600, 1626, 1673 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Headworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Headworth Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Headworth has appeared include Hedworth, Hedworthy, Headworth, Headworthy, Headword, Headward and many more.

Early Notables of the Headworth family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Headworth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Headworth family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Headworth arrived in North America very early: Alexander Hedworth, aged 42, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1919; Doris Hedworth, aged 9, who arrived at Ellis Island from S. Shielas, England, in 1916.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.