Hawksford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Hawksford 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 Hawksford family

The surname Hawksford 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 Hawksford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hawksford research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1501 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Hawksford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hawksford Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Hawksford has been recorded under many different variations, including Hackford, Hacksford, Hawksford, Hawkford, Hawkesford and many more.

Early Notables of the Hawksford family

More information is included under the topic Early Hawksford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hawksford migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Hawksfords were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Hawksford Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Hawksford, who settled in Maryland in 1775

Hawksford migration to Australia +

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

Hawksford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Hawksford, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Historic Events for the Hawksford family +

RMS Titanic

Mr. Walter James Hawksford, aged 45, English First Class passenger from Kingston, Surrey who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 3 6

Citations +

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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html