Hawkent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

The Hawkent surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the Old English personal name Hafoc, which continued to be in use until the 13th century. The surname Hawkent was originally derived from the form Havec and the addition of the diminutive suffix -in, which forms Havek-in. The name Hawkent has also been popularly regarded as a pet form of the personal name Henry.

Early Origins of the Hawkent family

The surname Haw Kent was first found in Kent at Hawkinge or Hackynge, a parish in the union of Elham, hundred of Folkestone which dates back to at least 1204 when it was listed as Hauekinge and literally meant "place frequented by hawks" or "place of a man called Hafoc", derived from the Old English personal name "hafac" + ing. ^[1] The present town and civil parish is almost 1 mile (1.3km) east of the original village and is best known as the home of RAF Hawkinge, the closest operational airfield to France and was used extensively during the Battle of Britain in World War II. "Part of the lands and tithes [of East Wickham, Kent] were given by the famous admiral, Sir John Hawkins, in the reign of Elizabeth, to the hospital for distressed mariners founded by him at Chatham, to which they still belong." ^[2] "The Hawkinses of The Gaer, co. Monmouth, and those of Cantlowes, co. Middlesex, claim a local origin from the parish of Hawking, near Folkestone, in Kent, of which Osbert de Hawking was possessor temp. Henry II. The family removed to Nash Court in the parish of Boughtonunder-Bleane in the same county, and there remained until the year 1800. " ^[3]

Important Dates for the Hawkent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hawkent research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1532, 1595, 1588, 1611, 1659, 1628, 1681 and are included under the topic Early Hawkent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hawkent Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hawkent are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hawkent include: Hawkins, Hawkin, Haykins, Haykin and others.

Early Notables of the Hawkent family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Hawkins (1532-1595), English admiral, slave trader, leader of the Sea Dogs, who was knighted after he commanded the "Victory" in the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588); John Hawkins (born c...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hawkent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hawkent family to Ireland

Some of the Hawkent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Haw Kent family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hawkent or a variant listed above: Thomas Hawkins, who settled in New England in 1630; Job Hawkins, who settled in Boston in 1630; Richard Hawkins, who settled in New England in 1635; Robert and Mary Hawkins, who came to the America aboard the Elizabeth and Ann in 1635, and settled in Charlestown.

Citations

1. ^ Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
2. ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
3. ^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.