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![Show Contents]() Hammit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Hammit familyThe surname Hammit was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Waltham held by a steward of the King who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Hammit familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hammit research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1327 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Hammit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hammit Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Hammit has been recorded under many different variations, including Hammetr, Hammett, Hamet, Hamat, Hammatt, Hammat and others. Early Notables of the Hammit familyMore information is included under the topic Early Hammit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hammit familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Hammits were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Thomas Hammett, who came to New England in 1658; John Hammett, who came to Barbados in 1688; Joseph Hammett, a bonded passenger, who settled in America in 1745.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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