Show ContentsHathorpe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hathorpe family

The surname Hathorpe was first found in Yorkshire at Hagthorpe, a settlement as listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 1 But this settlement seems to have been lost to time.

Hacthorpe (Hackthorpe) is a township, in the parish of Lowther, West ward and union, county of Westmorland 2

It is presumed that the family originated in Westmorland. 3 The first recording of the family was Robert de Hakethorp who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1251.

Early History of the Hathorpe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hathorpe research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1168, 1171, 1510, 1540, 1585, 1593, 1600, 1605, 1607, 1608 and 1627 are included under the topic Early Hathorpe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hathorpe Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hagthorp, Hagthorpe, Haggthorpe, Haggthorp, Hackthorp, Hackthorpe, Hagthrop, Haggthrop, Haggthrup, Hackthrop, Haythorp and many more.

Early Notables of the Hathorpe family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Hagthorpe (fl. 1627), English poet, who was undoubtedly the son of Rowland Hagthorpe (d. 1593) of Nettlesworth in the parish of Chester-le-Street, Durham. "He was baptised 12 Feb. 1585 (Surtees, Durham, ii. 204). In his writings he refers to the time when he lived in Scarborough Castle, Yorkshire. He married Judith, daughter of Anthony Wye, who...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hathorpe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hathorpe family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hathorpe or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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