Show ContentsHazlitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hazlitt

What does the name Hazlitt mean?

The ancestors of the name Hazlitt date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Hazlitt family lived in Surrey, where the name was derived from the term: 'at the hazel head,' i.e. one who dwelt at the head of the hazel wood. 1 "Hazelhead narrowed itself into Haslet, &c. Hazlehead is a hamlet in the parish of Thurlstone, West Riding of Yorkshire." 1 "Hæslett, is a common term in Essex, Kent and Surrey." 2

Early Origins of the Hazlitt family

The surname Hazlitt was first found in Surrey where John Haselette was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332. The following year, William atte Hasellette was listed in 1333. Later again, William Hesilheued was listed as a Freeman of York in 1421. 2

Early History of the Hazlitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hazlitt research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1327, 1333, 1455, 1487, 1887 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hazlitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hazlitt 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 Hazlitt 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 Hazlitt include: Hazlet, Hazlett, Hazlitt, Hasslet, Hasslett, Hazlit, Haslitt, Hezlit, Hezlitt, Hezlett, Hezlet, Heaslitt, Heaslett, Hazled, Hazelhead, Hasslitt, Aslett, Azlett, Astlett and many more.

Early Notables of the Hazlitt family

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

Migration of the Hazlitt family to Ireland

Some of the Hazlitt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 141 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hazlitt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hazlitt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Hazlitt, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840

Contemporary Notables of the name Hazlitt (post 1700) +

  • Henry Hazlitt (1894-1993), libertarian philosopher, economist, and journalist
  • William Carew Hazlitt (1834-1913), English bibliographer
  • William Hazlitt (1778-1830), Irish writer, born on 10 April 1778, the son of William Hazlitt (1737–1820) and grandson of John Hazlitt, an Irish Protestant, originally of Antrim 3
  • Gerry Hazlitt (1888-1915), Australian cricketer
  • Charles Hazlitt Cahan PC, KC (1861-1944), Canadian lawyer, newspaper editor, businessman, and provincial and federal politician
  • Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham VC & Bar (1908-1994), New Zealand soldier who won the Victoria Cross twice during the Second World War 4


The Hazlitt Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper fidelis
Motto Translation: Always faithful.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
  4. World War 2 Awards.com - UPHAM, Charles. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Charles Upham. Retrieved from http://www.ww2awards.com/person/173


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