Show ContentsHeseldynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Heseldynd

What does the name Heseldynd mean?

The origins of the Heseldynd name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in one of a variety of similarly-named places. The parishes of Cold Hesleton (Hesleden) and Monk Hesleton (Hesleden) are in Durham. Both date back to Saxon times when they were collectively known as Heseldene c. 1050 and literally meant "valley where hazels grow." 1

Haslingden in Lancashire dates back to 1241 when it was known as Heselingedon and meant "valley where hazels grow." 1 Hazeldon Farm is in Wiltshire, and Hazelton is in Gloucestershire. The surname Heseldynd 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 Heseldynd family

The surname Heseldynd was first found in Sussex at ancient manor in or near Dallington. 2 The name is derived from the Old English words hoesel + denu, which mean "Hazel" + "valley." 3 Hazleton Abbey was an abbey in Gloucestershire.

Early rolls revealed Robert de Heseldene in the Assize Rolls for Surham in 1243; Alexander de Haselinden in Kirkstal, Yorkshire in 1258; Reginald de Haselden in the Hundredorum Rolls for Warwickshire in 1275; and William de Heseldenn in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussexin in 1296. 4

In Somerset, early records there found: William de Haseldin; and Adam Haseldene, both listed 1, Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Willelmus de Hesledyn; and Jeppe de Hesilden as both hold lands there at that time. 6

Early History of the Heseldynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heseldynd research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1690, 1710, 1740 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Heseldynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heseldynd Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Heseldynd were recorded, including Hazeltine, Hazelton, Hazletine, Hasleden, Hazleton, Haseltine, Haselton, Hasletine, Haslett, Aseltine and many more.

Early Notables of the Heseldynd family

Notables of the family at this time include Thomas Haselden (d. 1740), English mathematician who was for some time schoolmaster at Wapping Old Stairs, and afterwards 'head-master of the Royal Academy at Portsmouth.' 7 Richard Hasleton (fl. 1595), was an English traveller who has related his travels in the very scarce 'Strange and wonderful things happened to Rd. Hasleton, borne at Braintree...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heseldynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heseldynd family to Ireland

Some of the Heseldynd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heseldynd family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Heseldynd family emigrate to North America: William Hassleton, who came to Barbados in 1679; William Hazledine settled in New England in 1775; Charles Hazeltine settled in Philadelphia in 1774; John Hazelton settled in New York State in 1811.



The Heseldynd 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: Pro aris et focis
Motto Translation: For our altars and our homes


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  7. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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