Heathcech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The present generation of the Heathcech family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in either of the parishes named Heathcote in Derbyshire and Warwickshire. Of the two, we found more information about the Derbyshire parish. Dating back to the 12th century, this parish literally meant "cottage on a heath," from the Old English "haeth" + "cot." 1

Early Origins of the Heathcech family

The surname Heathcech was first found in Derbyshire where the name could have been derived from someone who lived at "the heath-cottage" or "the cot on this heath." 2

The first record of the family was that of Godfrey de Hetcota who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1166. Years later, Ralph de Hethcote was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1227. 3 Later again, Walter Hathecok was listed in Essex in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 4

Early History of the Heathcech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heathcech research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1652, 1665, 1689, 1711, 1713, 1715, 1719, 1721, 1722, 1733 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Heathcech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heathcech Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Heathcech include Heathcote, Heathcoat, Heathcoat and others.

Early Notables of the Heathcech family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 1st Baronet (1652-1733), Governor of the Bank of England and Lord Mayor of London; and his brother, Caleb...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heathcech Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heathcech family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Heathcech were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Heathcoate settled in Jamaica in 1685; Jasper Heathcoat settled in New England in 1850; Edward Heathcote settled in Virginia in 1721; along with James.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)