Show ContentsHaversay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Haversay

What does the name Haversay mean?

Haversay is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person associated with a male goat, perhaps through ownership of such an animal or a perceived physical or temperamental resemblance to that animal. The surname Haversay is derived from the Old English word hæfer, which means he-goat. 1 2

Early Origins of the Haversay family

The surname Haversay was first found in Norfolk where Hugh, Simon Hauer was the first mention of the family in the Pipe Rolls of 1199 and later in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1230. 1

From these earliest records, we must move to the north in Scotland to find later information. "Gilbert Heware, chaplain, witnessed an instrument of sasine, 1446, and Robert Hafere was one of the perambulators of the bounds of Prestwick, in the same year." 3

Early History of the Haversay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haversay research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1470, 1482, 1497, 1499, 1505, 1509, 1513, 1514, 1657, 1664, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1687 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Haversay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haversay Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Haversay were recorded, including Havers, Haver and others.

Early Notables of the Haversay family

Clopton Havers (1657-1702), an English physician and pioneer on the microstructure of bone, believed to have been the first person to observe the eponymous Haversian canals and Sharpey's fibres in bones. "He studied at Catharine Hall, Cambridge, but left the university without taking any degree. He was admitted extra-licentiate of the College of Physicians of London on 28 July 1684, took the degree of M.D. at Utrecht 3 July 1685, and was admitted licentiate of...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haversay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Haversay family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Haversay family emigrate to North America: Dr. D. Havers settled in New Orleans in 1822; John Havers arrived in Philadelphia in 1868.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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