Show ContentsHednley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hednley family

The surname Hednley was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that county.

Early History of the Hednley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hednley research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1499, 1542, 1550, 1605, 1637, 1675, 1691, 1716 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Hednley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hednley Spelling Variations

Hednley has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Hednley, Hendlie, Hendlee, Hendlea, Hentley, Hentleigh, Hendleigh, Hentlea, Hentlee, Hendeley and many more.

Early Notables of the Hednley family

Distinguished members of the family include Walter Hendley (1499-1550), of Cranbrook, Kent and Gray's Inn, London, an English politician for Canterbury, Kent in 1542; Sir Thomas Hendley, High Sheriff of Kent in 1637; Sir Walter Hendley, 1st Baronet of Cuckfield, Sussex (died 1675). William Hendley (1691?-1724), was an English...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hednley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hednley family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hednleys to arrive on North American shores: 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..



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