Show ContentsHaddowy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Haddowy

What does the name Haddowy mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Haddowy comes from the Old German personal names Hathuwic or Hadewic, or from the Old English personal name Heathuwig, which means war-warrior. 1

Early Origins of the Haddowy family

The surname Haddowy was first found in Herefordshire where Hadeuui was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 For the next hundred years or so, only surnames were used so it is not surprising to see the next entry, that of Hathewi in the Pipe Rolls of Worcester in 1175. 1

Again in Herefordshire, William Hatewi, Hadewi, Hathewy were listed there in the Pipe Rolls of 1178 and 1181. Nigel Haðewi was found in the Gloucestershire Pipe Rolls of 1208 and Thomas Hatheweye was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1380. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Willelmus de Haythewy. 3

Moving further to the north in Scotland, "Alexander Hathwy appears as a witness in Linlithgow in 1444 and 1465, and Robert Hadowy was burgess of Lychtcow (Linlithgow), 1460." 4

Anne Hathaway (1556-1623), the wife of William Shakespeare is thought to have been born in Shottery, a village just to the west of Stratford-upon-Avon where her father, Richard Hathaway, a yeoman farmer died in September 1581.

Early History of the Haddowy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haddowy research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1502, 1503, 1582, 1600, 1602, 1607, 1621, 1622, 1626, 1633, 1646, 1656, 1665, 1700, 1701, 1702 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Haddowy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haddowy Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Haddowy were recorded, including Hathaway, Hatheway, Hathoway, Hathway and others.

Early Notables of the Haddowy family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Hathaway (fl. 1702), an English impostor, a blacksmith's apprentice of Southwark. "In February 1700 he gave out that he was bewitched by an old woman named Sarah Morduck, the wife of a waterman, and that, as an effect of her sorcery, he vomited nails and pins, was unable to eat, speak, or open his eyes, and was otherwise strangely affected. His only remedy was to scratch Morduck until she bled, when he recovered for a time. He prepared a narrative of his case, but the printer to whom he took the copy...
Another 248 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haddowy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Haddowy family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Haddowy family emigrate to North America: Joe Hathoway settled in New England in 1635; Francis Hathaway settled in Virginia in 1652; John and Susan Hathaway settled in Boston in 1635.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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