{{ad}} |
|
|
Origins Available: |
| England |
The surname Heighly is derived from the place name Highly, originally Huggalea or Hugelei in Old English. It is located in Shropshire, and was listed in the Domesday Book in 1086 as held by Ralph de Mortimer.
The surname Heighly was first found in Shropshire at Highley, today a large village and civil parish on the west bank of the River Severn. The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Hughlei 1 and literally meant "woodland clearing of a man called Hugga," from the Old English personal name + "leah." 2 As far as the surname, the first record of the name was found in 1246 where it was listed simply as "Huggele." 3
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heighly research. Another 26 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1377, 1573 and 1581 are included under the topic Early Heighly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Heighly are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Heighly include: Highley, Highley, Higford, Hiley, Heighly, Hyley and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Heighly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Heighly or a variant listed above: John Hiley, who was sent to a plantation in Virginia in 1665; Jno. Highly, who settled in Virginia in 1673; Julian Hiley, who immigrated to Maryland in 1678.