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![Show Contents]() Harfoot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Harfoot familyThe surname Harfoot was first found in Hertfordshire 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 Hertford held by Count Alan and Eudo Fitzherbert from the King who were recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Harfoot familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harfoot research. Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the year 1588 is included under the topic Early Harfoot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Harfoot 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. Harfoot has been recorded under many different variations, including Hartford, Harford, Hertford, Hartforth, Hertforth and others. Early Notables of the Harfoot familyMore information is included under the topic Early Harfoot Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Harfoot migration to the United States | + |
To 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. Harfoots were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:
Harfoot Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Mr. Richard Harfoot, (b. 1879), aged 20, Cornish gardener from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 23rd April 1899 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 2
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Harfoot migration to the United States 
