Show ContentsHabergham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Habergham is a "metonymic for a maker of habergeons, sleeveless coats or jackets of mail or scale armour, worn also as a rough garment for penance," derived from the Middle English or Old French word "haubergeon", a diminutive of hauberc. 1

Early Origins of the Habergham family

The surname Habergham was first found in Lancashire where Matthew Habercham held estates in the shire in 1269. Later, Edmund Habirgent was listed in Norfolk in 1416 and Edward Haberjon was found in Sheffield in 1565. "Habershon and Habbijam are both still found in Sheffield, the latter being a direct descendant of the 1565 Haberjon." 1

The Habershams of Beverley, Yorkshire were the progenitors of the famed James Habersham (1712-1775), the English-born American merchant, planter, missionary, teacher and politician in Savannah, Georgia.

Early History of the Habergham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Habergham research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1551, 1592, 1712, 1735, 1738, 1751, 1775, 1795, 1801 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Habergham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Habergham 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 Habergham include Habercham, Habersham, Haberjiam, Haberiam, Habberiam, Habberjam, Habbersham, Habbercham, Habberjiam, Habergham, Hebbergham, Habbershon, Habbijam, Habershon, Habbershon, Habberham, Haberham, Habbishaw, Habbeshaw and many more.

Early Notables of the Habergham family

Distinguished members of the family include Joseph Habersham (1751-1815) was an American businessman, Georgia politician, soldier in the Continental Army, and 6th Postmaster General of the United States (1795-1801,) eponym of Habersham, Georgia, son of James Habersham.James Habersham (1712-1775) was an English-born American merchant, planter, missionary, teacher and politician who lived the majority of his life in the Province of Georgia. He is credited with opening the first direct trade between Savannah, Georgia, and London...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Habergham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Habergham 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 Habergham were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Lewis Abshere, who came to Virginia in 1637; William Habishaw, who arrived in Halifax, N.S. in 1774; Martin Habersham, who settled in New York in 1812.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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