Show ContentsHedgelay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hedgelay family

The surname Hedgelay was first found in Cheshire at Edgerley, a civil parish and township in the parish of Alford, union of Great Boughton, Lower division of the hundred of Broxton. 1

The first record of the surname was found in the year 1189 when Albert de Edgardle held estates in that shire. Hugh Eggerley was listed at Oxford in 1440. 2

Early History of the Hedgelay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hedgelay research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hedgelay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hedgelay Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hedgelay has been spelled many different ways, including Edgerley, Edgelly, Edgely, Egerley, Egelly, Egely, Edgeley, Hedgely, Hedgerly and many more.

Early Notables of the Hedgelay family

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

Migration of the Hedgelay family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hedgelays to arrive in North America: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



  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)


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