| ![Show Contents]() Hignite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Hignite is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest of 1066 brought to England. It comes from the Norman name Odinet, from which the more commonly known Odo is derived. Apart from the aforementioned patronymic origin, the place name could also mean "pleasant valley," from the Welsh "hawdd" meaning "pleasant" or "peaceful" and "nant," a "glen or valley." [1] Early Origins of the Hignite familyThe surname Hignite was first found in Shropshire at Hodnet, a village and civil parish in the union of Drayton, in the hundred of North Bradford. [2] The first record of the place name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Odenet. [3] "The Hodnets, or Hodnetts, derive their name from the Shropshire parish of Hodnet. During the 13th century there was a powerful family in the county that took the name of De Hodenet from either the manor or the parish of the name." [4] Early History of the Hignite familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hignite research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hignite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hignite Spelling VariationsBefore the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hignite family name include Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more. Early Notables of the Hignite familyMore information is included under the topic Early Hignite Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Hignite family to Ireland
Some of the Hignite family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hignite familyTo escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Hignite family to immigrate North America: Humphrey Hadnett, who sailed to Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth and James Hignett sailed to Maryland in 1666; John Hignett to Maryland in 1675; Francis Hadnett arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1767.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Hignite (post 1700) | + |
- Todd Hignite, American writer and editor
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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England
Ireland
