Hadkass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Hadkass was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. Hadkass is based on the Norman personal name Roger. Hotchkis was a baptismal name which is a pet form of Roger 1 as in "the son of little Hodge." 2

As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Hadkass family

The surname Hadkass was first found in Shropshire where the name "is a characteristic Shropshire name, and one especially numerous in the district of Church Stretton." 3 The first record of the name was William Hochekys who was listed in Shropshire in 1470. 4

Early History of the Hadkass family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hadkass research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1453, 1470, 1645, 1677, 1690, 1765, 1790, 1826, 1836, 1872 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Hadkass History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hadkass 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 Hadkass were recorded, including Hotchkiss, Hotchkis and others.

Early Notables of the Hadkass family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Herman Hotchkiss (1765-1836), an early settler of East Haven, Connecticut credited as founder of Fair Haven, Connecticut. Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss (1826-1885) was one...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hadkass Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hadkass family

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 Hadkass arrived in North America very early: Richard Hotchkiss, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Adam Hotchkiss settled in New England in 1659; William Hotchkiss settled in Maryland in 1775.

Citations +

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, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)