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The history of the Heathe family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living on a heath, which is an area of level, uncultivated land with poor, coarse, undrained soil and rich deposits of peat or peaty humus. The surname Heathe belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.
The surname Heathe was first found in Durham where it was first listed as Atte-Hethe, Apud Hethe and Del la Hethe in the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1279. 1 The name was denoted for someone who lived on or by a heath, typically filled with heather. 2 Kirby's Quest for Somerset listed Adam atte Hethe and John atte Hethe during the reign of Edward III. 3
Later in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, Robert del Heth was listed. Thomas Atte-Hethe was rector of Ringstead Parva, Norfolk in 1376 and Ralph atte Heythe was rector of Rockland Tofts, Norfolk in 1398. 4
Robert Heete or Robert of Woodstock (d. 1428), was an early "canonist and civilian, presumably a native of Woodstock, Oxfordshire, became scholar of Winchester College in 1401, and in due course scholar of New College, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. and LL.B. " 5
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heathe research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1501, 1563, 1567, 1575, 1577, 1578, 1583, 1585, 1599, 1600, 1615, 1627, 1629, 1643, 1649, 1661, 1664, 1672, 1704, 1728 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Heathe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Heathe include Heath, Hethe and others.
Notables of the family at this time include Sir Robert Heath (1575-1649), Attorney General of England, and founder of North Carolina and South Carolina. He was the son of Robert Heath of Brasted, Kent, a member of the Inner Temple and was born at Brasted on 20 May 1575. 5
James Heath (1629-1664), was a historian, son of Robert Heath, the king's cutler, who lived in the Strand, was born in London in 1629, and educated in Westminster School. 5
Thomas Heath (fl. 1583), was an English mathematician, born in London and was admitted probationer fellow of All Souls, Oxford, in 1567. 5
John...
Another 129 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heathe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.