Hedgewood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Hedgewood family

The surname Hedgewood 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 Hedgewood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hedgewood 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 Hedgewood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hedgewood 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 Hedgewood 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. The variations of the name Hedgewood include: Hedworth, Hedworthy, Headworth, Headworthy, Headword, Headward and many more.

Early Notables of the Hedgewood family

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

Migration of the Hedgewood 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 Hedgewood or a variant listed above: 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.