Asseltine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Asseltine belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in one of a variety of similarly-named places. The parishes of Cold Hesleton (Hesleden) and Monk Hesleton (Hesleden) are in Durham. Both date back to Saxon times when they were collectively known as Heseldene c. 1050 and literally meant "valley where hazels grow." [1]

Haslingden in Lancashire dates back to 1241 when it was known as Heselingedon and meant "valley where hazels grow." [1] Hazeldon Farm is in Wiltshire, and Hazelton is in Gloucestershire. The surname Asseltine belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Asseltine family

The surname Asseltine was first found in Sussex at ancient manor in or near Dallington. [2] The name is derived from the Old English words hoesel + denu, which mean "Hazel" + "valley." [3] Hazleton Abbey was an abbey in Gloucestershire.

Early rolls revealed Robert de Heseldene in the Assize Rolls for Surham in 1243; Alexander de Haselinden in Kirkstal, Yorkshire in 1258; Reginald de Haselden in the Hundredorum Rolls for Warwickshire in 1275; and William de Heseldenn in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussexin in 1296. [4]

In Somerset, early records there found: William de Haseldin; and Adam Haseldene, both listed 1, Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [5]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Willelmus de Hesledyn; and Jeppe de Hesilden as both hold lands there at that time. [6]

Early History of the Asseltine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Asseltine research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1690, 1710, 1740 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Asseltine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Asseltine Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Asseltine include Hazeltine, Hazelton, Hazletine, Hasleden, Hazleton, Haseltine, Haselton, Hasletine, Haslett, Aseltine and many more.

Early Notables of the Asseltine family

Notables of the family at this time include Thomas Haselden (d. 1740), English mathematician who was for some time schoolmaster at Wapping Old Stairs, and afterwards 'head-master of the Royal Academy at Portsmouth.' [7]Richard Hasleton (fl. 1595), was an English traveller who has related his travels in the very scarce 'Strange and wonderful things happened to Rd. Hasleton, borne at Braintree...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Asseltine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asseltine family to Ireland

Some of the Asseltine family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asseltine family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Asseltine were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Hassleton, who came to Barbados in 1679; William Hazledine settled in New England in 1775; Charles Hazeltine settled in Philadelphia in 1774; John Hazelton settled in New York State in 1811.

The Asseltine 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: Pro aris et focis
Motto Translation: For our altars and our homes

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print