Show ContentsHornihoold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Hornihoold comes from the family having resided in village of Horninghold in the county of Leicestershire.

Early Origins of the Hornihoold family

The surname Hornihoold was first found in Leicestershire, where the name is associated with the parish of Horninghold, in the union of Uppingham, hundred of Gartree. Originally listed as Horniwale in the Domesday Book of 1086, it was the property of Robert de Tosny at that time. 1 By 1163, the parish and village was known as Horningewald. The place name literally meant "woodland of the people living at the horn-shaped piece of land" from the Old English words "horn" + "-inga" + "wald." 2 The first recorded ancestor is John de Hornyold of Leicestershire, during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377.) 3

Early History of the Hornihoold family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hornihoold research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1680, 1709, 1715, 1718 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Hornihoold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hornihoold Spelling Variations

Hornihoold has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Horninghold, Hornyhold, Hornihold, Hornyold, Horniold, Horniolde, Hornyolde, Hornigold and many more.

Early Notables of the Hornihoold family

Distinguished members of the family include John Hornyold, Knight of Malta, Governor of Calais and Auditor of the Exchequer in the 16th century. On the more infamous side, Captain Benjamin Hornigold (c. 1680-1719) an English pirate, active 1715 to 1718 after which he turned into a pirate hunter...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hornihoold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hornihoold family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hornihoolds to arrive on North American shores: William and Katherine Horniolde, who sailed to Barbados in 1678; Thomas Honihold to Barbados in 1679; and William Horniold to Barbados in 1680.



The Hornihoold Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fidem tene
Motto Translation: Keep the faith


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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