Heckley History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsHeckley is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the regions of Hockley in Essex and Wales. The surname Heckley originally derived from the Old English word hoccsleah which referred to someone who lived close to hills. 1 The Hockey variant was derived from the "Anglo-Saxon personal name Hoc, Hoc(c)a, with the diminutive suffix -y." 2 Early Origins of the Heckley familyThe surname Heckley was first found in Essex at Hockley, a parish, in the union and hundred of Rochford, about 2¼ miles from Rayleigh. 3 4 5 This place dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Hocheleia. 6 And this is where we found Michael de Hockele listed in the Feet of Fines for 1203. Over one hundred years later in Worcestershire, Nicholas de Hockelaye was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 7 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only listing for the family, that of William de Hokkele in Huntingdonshire. 8 In Somerset, Thomas de Hokkeleghe was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 9 Early History of the Heckley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heckley research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1273, 1593, 1606 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Heckley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Heckley Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Heckley has been recorded under many different variations, including Hockley, Hockly, Hokeley, Hokelley and others. Early Notables of the Heckley familyMore information is included under the topic Early Heckley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Heckley or a variant listed above: Heckley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
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