Hangar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the bearers of the Hangar family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Hangre in the county of Hampshire.

There are two other origins of the name. Firstly, it may also have been an occupational name derived from the Middle English word "hangere" for a "hangman." 1 Secondly, the name could have been derived from the Old English word "hangra," meaning ‘Dweller by the wood on a steep hillside.’ 1 2

The latter origin is by far the strongest as most sources note this origin instead of the occupational entry above. We include another quote to underscore this point. "A wooded declivity. The high part to the south-west consists of a vast hill of chalk, rising three hundred feet above the village; and it is divided into a sheep down, the high wood, and a long hanging wood called the HANGER." 3

Early Origins of the Hangar family

The surname Hangar was first found in Hampshire, where Hangere (with no forename) was listed at Winton in 1148. Later the Assize Rolls of Norfolk included a listing for Roger Hangeman in 1310. 1

The Close Rolls list Richard atte Hanger, 6 Henry IV (during the 6th year of King Henry IV's reign.)

Early History of the Hangar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hangar research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1630, 1643, 1762 and 1824 are included under the topic Early Hangar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hangar Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hangar include Hanger, Hangre, Anger, Angre and others.

Early Notables of the Hangar family

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

Migration of the Hangar family to Ireland

Some of the Hangar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hangar family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hangar or a variant listed above: Richard Hanger who sailed to Somers Islands in 1673; Elizabeth Anger to Virginia in 1723; Nicholas Anger to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1736; John Hanger to Philadelphia in 1797.

The Hangar Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Artes Honorabit
Motto Translation: He will do honour to the arts.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.