Show ContentsHackforth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Hackforth Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Hackforth

What does the name Hackforth mean?

The surname Hackforth has two possible origins: the first having derived from the place name Hackford, one of two parishes found in Norfolk; and secondly from Hackforth, a township in the parish of Hornby, North Riding of Yorkshire. Both are derived from 'the ford of Hake,' a great personal name. "Both Hackford and Hackforth are, I suspect, of the same Norfolk parentage; v. Ford and Forth." 1

Hackford, Norfolk dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed near Wymondham and was recorded in its Latin form, Hakeforda. 2

Hackforth in the North Riding of Yorkshire similarly dates back to the Domesday Book when it was listed as Acheford. 2

Both place names derive their name from "ford with a hatch or bend," from the Old English "haecc" or "haca" + "ford." 2

Early Origins of the Hackforth family

The surname Hackforth was first found in Norfolk where Robert de hackford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1196. Later Walter de Hakeford was listed in 1262 and much later, John Hakfurth was a Freeman of York in 1472. 3

Nicholas de Hacford was Bailiff of Norwich in 1263 4 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following in Norfolk as all holding lands there at that time: Maltilda de Hakeford; Ranulph de Hakeford; and Adam de Hacford. 1

The source, Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. includes an entry for Thomas de Hakeford in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign)

Early History of the Hackforth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hackforth research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1501 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Hackforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hackforth Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hackforth were recorded, including Hackford, Hacksford, Hawksford, Hawkford, Hawkesford and many more.

Early Notables of the Hackforth family

More information is included under the topic Early Hackforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hackforth migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hackforth arrived in North America very early:

Hackforth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Geo Hackforth, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 5
Hackforth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Hackforth, aged 38, settler from England who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Florida" in 1830 6
  • Henry Hackforth, aged 23, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Leddons" in 1838 6
  • Gustav Hackforth, aged 32, settler from Germany who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Helvetia" in 1867 6
Hackforth Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Peter Hackforth, aged 26, settler from India who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Rosa" in 1941 6

Hackforth migration to Australia +

Hackforth Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. W. Hackforth, aged 27, who arrived in Adelaide, Freemantle, Australia through Melbourne in 1900 aboard the ship "Paroo"
  • Miss G. P. Hackforth, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Esperance Bay" in 1924 7
  • Joan Mary Hackforth, settler from Bombay who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Strathmore" in 1952 7
  • Monica Mary Hackforth, settler from Bombay who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Strathmore" in 1952 7
  • Peter James Hackforth, settler from Bombay who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Strathmore" in 1952 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Hackforth (post 1700) +

  • Reginald Hackforth FBA (1887-1957), English classical scholar, known mainly for his work on Plato, the second Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy at Cambridge University
  • Penne Hackforth -Jones (1949-2013), American-born, Australian actress and biographer
  • Jos Hackforth -Jones, British academic administrator, art historian, author, curator, and lecturer, CEO and Director of Sotheby's Institute of Art-London
  • Commander Frank Gilbert Hackforth -Jones R.N. (1900-1982), British writer of the mid 20th century and Royal Navy officer
  • Norman Hackforth (1908-1996), British musician and radio broadcaster, an accompanist to Noël Coward and gained fame as the "mystery voice" on the BBC's Twenty Questions radio program
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  7. National Records Search retrieved 21st October 2021. (Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=9255624&S=6&N=9&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=9255624&T=P&S=1

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