Hodnet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Hodnet is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Hodnet 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 Hodnet family

The surname Hodnet 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 Hodnet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodnet research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hodnet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hodnet Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hodnet were recorded, including Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more.

Early Notables of the Hodnet family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir William Hodnet

Migration of the Hodnet family to Ireland

Some of the Hodnet 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.

Hodnet migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hodnet arrived in North America very early:

Hodnet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Hodnet, who settled in Indian Islands in 1871

Hodnet migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hodnet Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Patrick Hodnet, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland

Citations +

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.