Show ContentsHewelett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Hewelett family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their name is derived from the Old English given name Huwelet, Huwelot, or Hughelot. Nonetheless, the name is also a diminutive of the Old French personal name Hugh, or Hughe, which was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The personal name Hugh is a short form of various Germanic compound names formed from the element hug, which meant heart, mind, and spirit. [1]

Early Origins of the Hewelett family

The surname Hewelett was first found in Norfolk where Agnes Hughelot was recorded c. 1248. A few years later, Thomas Huwelot was listed in Huntingdonshire c. 1250 and later again, Richard Hulot was recorded in Suffolk in 1275. Walter Howlot, Hughlot was found in Devon in 1310 and 1311 and John Huelot was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1327. In Yorkshire, John Highlot was listed there in 1357 and Robert Hulat was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1381. [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Huwelot, Huntingdonshire; Walter Huwelot, Oxfordshire; Walter Hughelot, Kent; and John Huelot, Cambridgeshire. [3]

In Somerset, Thomas Hughelot, was listed there, 1 Edward III (in the first years of King Edward III's reign.) [4]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Johannes Hughlot. [3]

The famed, William Redington Hewlett (1913-2001), the American engineer and co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, who was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Early History of the Hewelett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hewelett research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1619, 1627, 1638, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1692, 1704, 1710 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Hewelett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hewelett Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Hewlett, Hewlet, Hewlit, Hewlitt, Hughelot, Hughelett and many more.

Early Notables of the Hewelett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Captain William Hewlett, the officer in charge of the soldiers at the execution of Charles I. He was later convicted on 15 October 1660 for his part in the regicide but was not executed.Ebenezer Hewlett (fl. 1747), was an antitrinitarian writer who lived at the New Pales in Sun Street, without Bishopsgate, London, and was for a time employed by the East India Company. [5]Lady Sarah Hewley (1627-1710), was the English foundress of the Hewley trust, the only daughter and heiress of Robert Wolrych (d. 11 Dec. 1661), bencher...
Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hewelett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hewelett family to Ireland

Some of the Hewelett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hewelett family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Hewelett or a variant listed above: Mathew Hewlett, who settled in Boston in 1634; Elizabeth and John Hewlett settled in Maryland in 1774; Archibald Hewlet arrived in Philadelphia in 1858..



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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.
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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