| ![Show Contents]() Hawkforth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The surname Hawkforth has two possible origins: the first having derived from the place name Hackford, one of two parishes found in Norfolk; and secondly from Hackforth, a township in the parish of Hornby, North Riding of Yorkshire. Both are derived from 'the ford of Hake,' a great personal name. "Both Hackford and Hackforth are, I suspect, of the same Norfolk parentage; v. Ford and Forth." 1 Hackford, Norfolk dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed near Wymondham and was recorded in its Latin form, Hakeforda. 2 Hackforth in the North Riding of Yorkshire similarly dates back to the Domesday Book when it was listed as Acheford. 2 Both place names derive their name from "ford with a hatch or bend," from the Old English "haecc" or "haca" + "ford." 2 Early Origins of the Hawkforth familyThe surname Hawkforth was first found in Norfolk where Robert de hackford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1196. Later Walter de Hakeford was listed in 1262 and much later, John Hakfurth was a Freeman of York in 1472. 3 Nicholas de Hacford was Bailiff of Norwich in 1263 4 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following in Norfolk as all holding lands there at that time: Maltilda de Hakeford; Ranulph de Hakeford; and Adam de Hacford. 1 The source, Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. includes an entry for Thomas de Hakeford in Norfolk, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign) Early History of the Hawkforth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hawkforth research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1501 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Hawkforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hawkforth Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Hackford, Hacksford, Hawksford, Hawkford, Hawkesford and many more. Early Notables of the Hawkforth familyMore information is included under the topic Early Hawkforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hawkforth familyMany English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hawkforth or a variant listed above: Ephraim Axford who settled in Virginia in 1670; Richard Axford who landed in Maryland in 1660; William Hawksford settled in Maryland in 1775.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
 |
