Halham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Halham is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Suffolk where the name literally means dwellers at the hall, or servant at the hall. Alternatively the name could have been derived from the Old English word halemann, which means dweller at the hale. [1]

Early Origins of the Halham family

The surname Halham was first found in Suffolk, where shortly after the Domesday Book, Æluric Halleman was listed c. 1095. Later Gilbert le Halleman was listed in Nottinghamshire in 1301 and William and John Haleman were listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327 and later in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1379. [1]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had three listings for the family: Willelmus Halleman; Roger Halman; and Johannes Halman who all held lands there at that time. [2]

Early History of the Halham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Halham research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 161 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Halham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Halham Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Halham are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Halham include: Hallman, Halman and others.

Early Notables of the Halham family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Halham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Halham family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Halham or a variant listed above: Anthony Hallman settled in Philadelphia in 1734; John Hallman settled in Philadelphia in 1786; Catherine Hallman and Margaret Hallman settled in New York in 1849..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)