|
![Show Contents]() Higforth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancient roots of the Higforth family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Higforth comes from when the family lived in the old village of Hickford, Shropshire. Early Origins of the Higforth familyThe surname Higforth was first found in Shropshire, but we must look to Oxfordshire to find one of the first listings of the name, that being Edith de Hicford who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 1 "Sir Robert Atkyns, in his Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire, says (p. 109) that 'The Higfords were of an ancient family in Salop, originally styled Hugford.' About the reign of James I the surname was turned into Higford: this, of course, has now become Hickford." 1 Early History of the Higforth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higforth research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1581, 1596, 1597, 1607 and 1657 are included under the topic Early Higforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Higforth Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Higforth has appeared include Hickford, Hikford, Hicford, Higford, Higeford, Hugford and many more. Early Notables of the Higforth familyDistinguished members of the family include William Higford (1581-1657), born near Alderton, Gloucestershire, a writer and Justice of the Peace. He was a Puritan, born of a good family. On 14 January 1596-1597, he matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford. He married Mary, daughter of...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Higforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Higforth familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Higforth arrived in North America very early: John Hickford, who sailed to Maine in 1640 and Thomas Hickford to Maryland in 1669.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
|
