Hale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The name Hale is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in a remote valley, or nook. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English halh, which had the same meaning. Conversely the name could have been a nickname for someone who was "healthy, stout, a brave man, chief, or hero" having derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "hale." 1

Early Origins of the Hale family

The surname Hale was first found in Cheshire, but there are other records of this local name throughout England. Parish named Hales were found in Stafford, Norfolk and Worcester. Norfolk's earliest reference was Alexander de Hales, who was listed there in 1245. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: Richard de la Hale in Oxfordshire; and Walter en le Hale in Sussex at that time. Robert in the Hale was listed in the Close Roll, temp. 2 Edward I and according to Kirby's Quest, John atte Hale was listed in Somerset, temp. 1 Edward III 3 4

Alexander of Hales (d. 1245), the celebrated theologian, and one of the first of the Christian Philosophers of the thirteenth century, was born in Gloucestershire at a town or village called Hales. 5

Thomas Hales (fl. 1250), was an early English poet and religious writer, was a Franciscan friar, and presumably a native of Hales (or Hailes) in Gloucestershire. 5

The name quickly became native to Scotland as seen by Michel de Hale del counte de Edeneberk who rendered homage to King Edward I in his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. 6

Later some of the family were found at Kings Walden in Hertfordshire. "On the north side of the chancel of the church is a chapel, the burial-place of the Hale family, erected by William Hale, who died in 1648." 7

Hailes Castle is a 14th century castle about a mile and a half south west of East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland. It dates back to c. 1300. Hailes Abbey near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire was built in 1245 or 1246 but little remains of the abbey today.

Early History of the Hale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hale research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1325, 1331, 1379, 1381, 1394, 1455, 1456, 1457, 1459, 1470, 1471, 1490, 1516, 1540, 1572, 1576, 1584, 1608, 1609, 1614, 1625, 1626, 1636, 1640, 1645, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1676, 1677, 1679, 1681, 1684, 1691, 1692, 1694, 1700, 1729, 1762, 1773, 1793, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hale Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hale were recorded, including Hale, Hail, Hailes, Hayles, Hayle, Hales, Haile and many more.

Early Notables of the Hale family

Notables of the family at this time include

Hale World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hale is the 296th most popular surname with an estimated 92,019 people with that name. 8 However, in Australia, the name Hale is ranked the 831st most popular surname with an estimated 4,728 people with that name. 9 And in New Zealand, the name Hale is the 483rd popular surname with an estimated 1,411 people with that name. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hale as 442nd with 14,626 people. 11

Migration of the Hale family to Ireland

Some of the Hale family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hale migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hale family emigrate to North America:

Hale Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Hale Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Hale Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hale migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hale Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Hale migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hale Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Hale migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hale Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Hale (post 1700) +


The Hale 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: Cum principibus
Motto Translation: Whith my chiefs


Suggested Readings for the name Hale +
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