Show ContentsHenty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Henty is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person with a mild temperment. The surname Henty is derived from the Old English word hendy, which means courteous, kind, and gentle. This word was also often used as a personal name. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Henty family

The surname Henty was first found in Surrey where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Henty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henty research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1198 and 1391 are included under the topic Early Henty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henty Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Henty were recorded, including Hendy, Henday, Hendey, Hendley and others.

Early Notables of the Henty family

More information is included under the topic Early Henty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Henty family to Ireland

Some of the Henty family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Henty family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Henty family emigrate to North America: Richard Hendy settled in Barbados in 1679.


Contemporary Notables of the name Henty (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Henty (1956-1988), born Thomas John Cooper, an English actor, son of the magician and prop comedian Tommy Cooper
  • George Alfred "G.A." Henty (1832-1902), English novelist and war correspondent, known for his historical adventure stories including The Dragon & The Raven (1886), For The Temple (1888), Under Drake's Flag (1883) and In Freedom's Cause (1885)
  • Edward Henty (1810-1878), English pioneer and first permanent settler in the Port Phillip district (later Victoria), Australia, sixth son of Thomas Henty of West Tarring, Sussex, born there on 10 March 1809 [1]
  • Sir Norman Henry Denham Henty KBE (1903-1978), Australian politician, Minister for Supply (1966-1968), Minister for Civil Aviation (1964-1966), Minister for Customs and Excise (1956-1964
  • William Henty (b. 1808), English-born, Australian solicitor, member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council for Tamar, and colonial secretary in the Weston cabinet
  • Stephen George Henty (1811-1872), English-born, Australian farmer and politician in colonial Victoria, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council
  • James Henty (1800-1882), English pioneer, merchant and politician in colonial Australia from Tarring, West Sussex, elder brother of Edward Henty
  • Francis Henty (1815-1889), English-born, Australian settler, youngest son of Thomas Henty
  • Edward Henty (1839-1900), English first-class cricketer who played for Kent County Cricket Club between 1865 and 1881
  • Thomas Henty MLC (1836-1887), English-born, Australian pastoralist and politician in the early days of Victoria, Australia
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020


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