Show ContentsHalett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Halett is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the county of Kent where they were known as the dwellers at the hall or manor. [1]

Early Origins of the Halett family

The surname Halett was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Halett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Halett research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1690, 1628, 1689, 1628, 1652, 1652, 1656, 1722, 1656, 1683, 1687, 1713, 1691, 1744, 1691 and 1692 are included under the topic Early Halett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Halett 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. Halett has been spelled many different ways, including Hallett, Hallet, Hollett, Hollet, Hollitt and many more.

Early Notables of the Halett family (pre 1700)

Notables of the family at this time include Joseph Hallett or Halet (1628?-1689), an English ejected minister, "born at Bridport, Dorsetshire, about 1628. He became by his own exertions a good Greek scholar and proficient in Hebrew. In 1652 he was ‘called to the work of the ministry’ at Hinton St. George, Somersetshire, a sequestered living, and was ordained to this charge on 28 Oct. 1652 in St. Thomas's Church, Salisbury, by the ‘classical presbytery of Sarum.’ " [2] His son, Joseph...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Halett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Halett 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 Haletts to arrive in North America: John Hallett who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and five children and their servants (see above); Andrew Hallett settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635.



  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. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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