The name Hepwithey is of
Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in either of the settlements called Hepworth in
Suffolk and the West Riding of
Yorkshire. The surname Hepwithey belongs to the large category of
Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
Early Origins of the Hepwithey family
The surname Hepwithey was first found in
Yorkshire at Hepworth, a small village which dates back to at least the
Domesday Book where it was listed as Heppeuuord
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)and Heppeword, part of the Burghshire
wapentake.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) More recently, Hepworth is famous as one of the locations for the BBC's long-running comedy series Last of the Summer Wine.
Early History of the Hepwithey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hepwithey research.
Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 125 and 1257 are included under the topic Early Hepwithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Hepwithey 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 Hepwithey 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Hepwithey include: Hepworth, Hepworthe and others.
Early Notables of the Hepwithey family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Hepwithey Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Hepwithey family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hepwithey or a variant listed above: Joseph Hepworth settled in Barbados in 1634; James, Benjamin, Luke, Richard, Thomas and William Hepworth settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..
The Hepwithey 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: Loyal au mort
Motto Translation: Faithful unto death.