EnglandThe name Herst is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived close to a wooded region or thicket. Herst is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Literally the name was derived from the Saxon word for "a wood, a grove; fruit-bearing tree." [1]
The surname Herst was first found in Yorkshire the "surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the hurst,' a wood, a thicket. This surname has ramified in the most remarkable manner in the West Riding of Yorkshire." [2]
The earliest record the family was Roger del Hurst who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1246. [3]
The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 was one of the first rolls to list early spellings of the name: Iyode Hirst; and Richard de Hirst, both listed in Huntingdonshire. The Writs of Parliament of 1302 listed John atte Hurst. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Willelmus del He'rst; Adam del Hyrst; and Willelmus del Hirst. [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herst research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1648 and are included under the topic Early Herst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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. Herst has been spelled many different ways, including Hurst, Hirst, Herst and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Herst Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Herst family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Hersts to arrive in North America:
Typical Herst Emigration from the United Kingdom to North America
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