The ancestry of the name Hackwood dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Sussex where the name literally means "the wood frequented by hawks." [1]
The surname Hackwood was first found in Sussex where the family name was first referenced in the year 1230 when John Hackwude held estates in that county. Over one hundred years later, John de Haukwode was listed in the Feet of Fines of 1343 and John de Hawkwod was listed in the Assize Rolls of Essex in 1351. [2]
Sir John Hawkwood (c. 1320-1394) was an English mercenary or condottiere active in 14th century Italy. He was the "second son of Gilbert de Hawkwood of Hedingham Sibil, Hinckford, Essex, a tanner, was born in that place early in the fourteenth century. Gilbert de Hawkwood was a man of substance and gentle blood, the family having held land at Hedingham Sibil since the reign of John. He is also said to have been impressed for the French wars, and to have served as an archer in the army of Edward III." [3]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hackwood research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1394 are included under the topic Early Hackwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hackwood have been found, including Hackwood, Hakewood, Hawkwood, Haykwood, Hakwood, Ackwood, Akwood, Hackward and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include the Hackwood of Sussex; and Sir John Hawkwood (died 1394), an English mercenary who was active in 14th century Italy. Known by the French as "Jean Haccoude" and the Italians as "Giovanni Acuto" he served first the Pope and then various groups in Italy for...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hackwood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hackwood, or a variant listed above: