Show ContentsHaskitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Haskitt family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the settlement of Hesket in Cumberland or in either of the places called Hesketh in Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Haskitt belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Haskitt family

The surname Haskitt was first found in Lancashire where "in the year 1275, the 4th of Edward I., Sir William Heskayte, Knight, married the co-heiress of Fytton, and thus became possessed of Rufford, which has since remained the inheritance of this ancient family." 1

Hesketh of Gwyrch Castle, Denbighshire claim descent from the Heskeths of Rossel, Lancashire who in turn claim descent from the original branch in Rufford. 1

Rufford Old Hall, in Rufford, Lancashire built about 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh is today a National Trust property.

It is believed that the property's Great Hall was in 1580, host of works by Shakespeare as one teacher noted "wilim Shakeshaft nowe dwellynge with me." Rufford New Hall is a former country house built by Sir Robert Hesketh in 1760.

The township of Shevington in Lancashire was home to the family since early times. "Before the general introduction of dates in the conveyance of landed property, a family existed denominating themselves from this township. The family of Hesketh have possessed property here for several ages, and have been considered as lords of the manor. In the township are a number of ancient mansions: the old Hall or manor-house, the property of the Heskeths, is of the date 1653." 2

The parish of Rufford, also in Lancashire was later the family seat of Sir Thomas George Hesketh. There he had New Hall built. "On the north side of the family pew of the Heskeths, is a venerable marble slab, on which are represented a knight and his lady, the former being Thomas Hesketh, who died Oct. 1363." 2

Early History of the Haskitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haskitt research. Another 275 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1330, 1539, 1561, 1562, 1563, 1588, 1592, 1593, 1597, 1598, 1606, 1613, 1637, 1643, 1644, 1653, 1656, 1710, 1715 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Haskitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haskitt Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Haskitt include Hesketh, Hascoit, Haskett, Hesket, Heskett, Heskit, Heskitt and many more.

Early Notables of the Haskitt family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Robert Hesketh, of Rufford (died 1539), knighted by Henry VIII for his valour in France; and his son, Sir Thomas Hesketh (died 1588), High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1563; and his son, Robert Hesketh (died 1653), Member of Parliament for Rufford (1597-1598). Richard Hesketh (1562-1593), was a Roman Catholic exile, third son of Sir Thomas Hesketh of Rufford and Martholme, by Alice, daughter of Sir John Holcroft of Holcroft, was baptised at...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haskitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Haskitt migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Haskitt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Stefano Haskitt, (Stephano, Posweitch, Haskett, Powich, Stanton), (b. 1782), aged 31, English sailor who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for larceny, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1861 3

Haskitt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Haskitt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Haskitt, (b. 1837), aged 25, Irish domestic servant from Tipperary travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 4
  • Mr. John Haskitt, (b. 1840), aged 22, Irish farm labourer from Tipperary travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 4
  • Miss Eliza Haskitt, (b. 1843), aged 19, Irish domestic servant from Tipperary travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Haskitt (post 1700) +

  • W. E. Haskitt, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1916 5


The Haskitt 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: Quod tibi, hoc alteri
Motto Translation: Do unto others what you would want done to yourself.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, April 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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