Horkesford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Horkesford has two possible origins: the first having derived from the place name Hackford, one of two parishes found in Norfolk; and secondly from Hackforth, a township in the parish of Hornby, North Riding of Yorkshire. Both are derived from 'the ford of Hake,' a great personal name. "Both Hackford and Hackforth are, I suspect, of the same Norfolk parentage; v. Ford and Forth." 1

Hackford, Norfolk dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed near Wymondham and was recorded in its Latin form, Hakeforda. 2

Hackforth in the North Riding of Yorkshire similarly dates back to the Domesday Book when it was listed as Acheford. 2

Both place names derive their name from "ford with a hatch or bend," from the Old English "haecc" or "haca" + "ford." 2

Early Origins of the Horkesford family

The surname Horkesford was first found in Norfolk where Robert de hackford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1196. Later Walter de Hakeford was listed in 1262 and much later, John Hakfurth was a Freeman of York in 1472. 3

Nicholas de Hacford was Bailiff of Norwich in 1263 4 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following in Norfolk as all holding lands there at that time: Maltilda de Hakeford; Ranulph de Hakeford; and Adam de Hacford. 1

The source, Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. includes an entry for Thomas de Hakeford in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign)

Early History of the Horkesford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horkesford research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1501 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Horkesford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horkesford Spelling Variations

Before 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 Horkesford family name include Hackford, Hacksford, Hawksford, Hawkford, Hawkesford and many more.

Early Notables of the Horkesford family

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

Migration of the Horkesford family

To 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 Horkesford family to immigrate North America: Ephraim Axford who settled in Virginia in 1670; Richard Axford who landed in Maryland in 1660; William Hawksford settled in Maryland in 1775.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print