Show ContentsHepplewait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hepplewait is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in the township of Applethwaite, which was in the parish of Windermere in Westmorland (now part of Cumbria). There were also places with this name in Cumberland and in Suffolk, where the first instances of the surname Hepplewait were found. In Old English, applethwaite meant an apple orchard or an area of land cleared for growing apples. 1 2

Early Origins of the Hepplewait family

The surname Hepplewait was first found in the county of Suffolk in south eastern England. One of the first records of the family was Stephen Appeltheit who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. Later Robert Apylweyte was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 3

Early History of the Hepplewait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hepplewait research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1629, 1630, 1646, 1660, 1668, 1674, 1678 and 1906 are included under the topic Early Hepplewait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hepplewait Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hepplewait has been spelled many different ways, including Applethwaite, Applewhite, Applewaite, Applewait, Apelwhite, Eppelwhite, Epplethwaite and many more.

Early Notables of the Hepplewait family

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

Migration of the Hepplewait family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hepplewaits to arrive in North America: Henry Apllewhate who arrived in Virginia in 1713; Thomas Applewhite who arrived in Maryland in 1676; Henry Applewhaite who arrived in Virginia in 1670.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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