Helpen History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of HelpenWhat does the name Helpen mean? Helpen is a name whose history dates far back into the mists of early British times to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is a name for a person who because of his physical characteristics was referred to as Halfpenn. This person had a slim or slight build and was given this surname as a means of identity. The surname may have also local origins, which would explain Halfpenn Field in Cambridgeshire. The residents gave half a penny per acre to repair the Needham Dyke in that county. 1 A bord halfpenny, or brod halfpenny, was a fee paid in markets and fairs by the Saxons to the lord for the privilege of having a bord or bench for the sale of articles. "Halfpenny is found written Halpeny and Halpeni; and Allpenny and Alpenny are perhaps the same name. " 2 Early Origins of the Helpen familyThe surname Helpen was first found in Worcestershire where Adam Halpeni was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. A few years later, Richard Halfpany was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Halpeni, Oxfordshire; Richard Halpeny, Oxfordshire; and Walter Halpeni, Devon as all holding lands at that time. 3 In Somerset, Juliana Halpeny and Robert Halpeny, were listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward I.) 4 Early History of the Helpen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Helpen research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1729, 1736, 1752, 1816 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Helpen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Helpen Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Helpen has been recorded under many different variations, including Halfpenny, Halpin(Limerick), Halpeny(Monaghan), Halpern and many more. Early Notables of the Helpen familyDistinguished members of the family include William Halfpenny, alias Michael Hoare (fl. 1752), who styles himself architect and carpenter on the title-page of some of his works, appears to have resided at Richmond, Surrey, and in London during the first half of the eighteenth century. " Batty Langley describes him in his ‘Ancient Masonry’ (1736), p. 147, as ‘Mr. William Halfpeny, alias Hoare, lately of Richmond in Surrey, carpenter,’ and seems... Migration of the Helpen family to IrelandSome of the Helpen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Helpen familyFor many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Helpen or a variant listed above: Robert Halfpenny arrived in Annapolis Maryland in 1725; Michael Halfpenny settled in New England in 1753; along with Peter; Thomas Halfpenny settled in Norfolk, Virginia in 1823..
|