Show ContentsHendee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hendee

What does the name Hendee mean?

Hendee is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hendee family lived in the place named Hendon, in Middlesex. The place-name is derived from an Old English expression that means at the high hill or in the valley with the deer. The place named Hendon is in the London Metropolitan area and is situated some seven miles north-west of Charing Cross. The Hendron variant is now chiefly found in County Armagh, Ireland, but it earliest origins lie in Middlesex.

Early Origins of the Hendee family

The surname Hendee was first found in Middlesex. Alternatively, the family could have originated in Endon, a township, in the parish and union of Leek, N. division of the hundred of Totmonslow in Staffordshire. 1

Early History of the Hendee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hendee research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1639 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Hendee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hendee Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hendon, Henden, Hendwn and others.

Early Notables of the Hendee family

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

Migration of the Hendee family to Ireland

Some of the Hendee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hendee migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hendee or a variant listed above:

Hendee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Hendee, aged 53, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "France" from Le Havre, France 2
  • Nellie E. Hendee, aged 57, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Olympic" from Southampton, England 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Hendee (post 1700) +

  • William C. Hendee, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Cape May County Democratic Party, 1913
  • Lucius J. Hendee, American politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate 21st District, 1856; Connecticut State Treasurer, 1858-61
  • Lloyd F. Hendee, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 51st District, 1966
  • Leonard Hendee, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Hebron, 1823, 1825
  • Kirby Hendee, American Republican politician, Member of Wisconsin State Senate 4th District; Elected 1956; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1960
  • Joseph B. Hendee, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1916
  • Horatio S. Hendee, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 23rd District, 1886
  • George Whitman Hendee (1832-1906), American Republican politician, Member of Vermont State House of Representatives, 1861; Member of Vermont State Senate, 1866; Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, 1869-70; Governor of Vermont, 1870
  • Ariel Hendee, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Ontario County, 1835
  • Amos A. Hendee, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Livingston County 1st District, 1853
  • ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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