Hamlit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Hamlit family

The surname Hamlit was first found in Sussex. The name Hamlit, like many surnames, began as a personal name, in this case a variation on the more common name Hammond or as "the son of Hamon." 1 The surname was derived from Haimo, a Germanic shortened form of any of several names beginning with "haim," an old German word meaning "home." The fact that the first bearer of the name chose a personal name for his surname may indicate that he was related to someone of the name or that it was the name of the lord to whom he owed allegiance, or it may have been an arbitrary choice. The name was also frequented in Cheshire and Lancashire as the Wills at Chester will attest with the entry of Ellen Hamlett, of Roby, Lancashire in 1685. 1

Early History of the Hamlit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hamlit research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1568 is included under the topic Early Hamlit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hamlit Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hamlet, Hamlett, Hamblet, Hamblett and others.

Early Notables of the Hamlit family

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

Migration of the Hamlit family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hamlit or a variant listed above: John Hamlet, who arrived in Boston in 1634; as well as David Hamlett, who arrived in Virginia in 1665.

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)