Show ContentsHeseltin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Heseltin first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having 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 Heseltin 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 Heseltin family

The surname Heseltin 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 Heseltin family

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

Heseltin Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Heseltin has appeared include Hazeltine, Hazelton, Hazletine, Hasleden, Hazleton, Haseltine, Haselton, Hasletine, Haslett, Aseltine and many more.

Early Notables of the Heseltin family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • James Heseltine (1690-1763), was an English organist and composer, a pupil of Dr. Blow, was in the early part of the century organist to St. Katharine's Hospital, near the Tower 7. In 1710 he wa...

Migration of the Heseltin family to Ireland

Some of the Heseltin 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 Heseltin family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Heseltin arrived in North America very early: 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 Heseltin 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. Grove, Sir George, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (AD. 1450-1889) London: Macmillan1902, Print, 2 Vols


Houseofnames.com on Facebook