Show ContentsHakewood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hakewood is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Sussex where the name literally means "the wood frequented by hawks." 1

Early Origins of the Hakewood family

The surname Hakewood 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

Early History of the Hakewood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hakewood research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hakewood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hakewood Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hakewood has been spelled many different ways, including Hackwood, Hakewood, Hawkwood, Haykwood, Hakwood, Ackwood, Akwood, Hackward and many more.

Early Notables of the Hakewood family

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 Hakewood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hakewood family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hakewoods to arrive in North America: Fra Hawkwood, who arrived in Virginia in 1650; John Hogward, who arrived in Virginia in 1664; Mary Hackwood, who came to Barbados in 1678; and James Hogwood, who came to St. John, N.B. in 1783..



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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