{{ad}} |
|
|
Origins Available: |
| Scotland |
The roots of the ancient Scottish name Honnyham are found among the people of a tribe known as the Picts. Honnyham is a name for a beekeeper. This occupation was important during the Middle Ages; since sugar was unknown in Europe, honey was the only available sweetener to be used in food preparation. Honey was also vital in the production of mead, a popular beverage.
The surname Honnyham was first found in Fife, where they held a family seat from early times, where it is said, within the family, "we all belong to Fife." Although this is largely true, deriving themselves from Falkland to St. Andrews, the name branched in early times to both Ayrshire and north to the Orkneys.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Honnyham research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1522, 1555, 1606, 1661, 1664, 1668 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Honnyham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Honnyham has been spelled Honyman, Honeyman, Honiman, Huniman, Hunyman, Hunman, Honnyman, Honneyman, Honniman, Hunniman and many more.
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Honnyham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Honnyham: William Honeyman who settled in Pennsylvania in 1773; Michael Honeyman settled in New York N.Y. in 1820; M. Hunman settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1852.