Harnswithy History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of HarnswithyWhat does the name Harnswithy mean? The name Harnswithy was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Harnswithy family lived in the town of Hemsworth in Yorkshire. The place-name was recorded in the Domesday Book as Hilmeuurod and Hamelsuurde. It was originally derived from the Old English personal name Hymel and the Old English word word, which means enclosure. 1 2 The personal name Hymel is a short form of names such as Hunbeald, which means bear-cub bold, and Hunbeorht, which means bear-cub bright. Thus, the name Harnswithy changed dramatically over time. Surnames rarely appeared in their modern form in ancient chronicles. In the 11th and 12th centuries, it was common practice to Latinize names in official records. The modern spelling of a surname is usually related to the phonetic spelling of that name that was developed during the 17th or 18th century. Early Origins of the Harnswithy familyThe surname Harnswithy was first found in Yorkshire at Hemsworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. At the taking of the Domesday Book survey, initiated by Duke William in the year 1086 after his conquest of England at the Battle of Hastings in the year 1066, Hemsworth was held by Gamel, a Norman noble, who held it from the tenant-in-chief Ilbert de Lacy. Conjecturally, the Hemsworth line is descended from this source. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from Harmondsworth, a parish in Middlesex. 3 The first record of the family was Adam de Himeswurth who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. 2 Early History of the Harnswithy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Harnswithy research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1621 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Harnswithy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Harnswithy Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Harnswithy have been found, including Hamsworth, Harmsworth, Hemsworth and others. Early Notables of the Harnswithy familyMore information is included under the topic Early Harnswithy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Harnswithy family to IrelandSome of the Harnswithy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Harnswithy familyFor many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Harnswithy were among those contributors: William Hemsworth who landed in North America in 1700.
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: Manus haec inimica tyrannis Motto Translation: This hand is hostile to tyrants.
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