Hext is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a a tall and lanky person. In Old English, the word hext referred to someone who was tall. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.
The surname Hext was first found in Devon where the name derived from the Anglo Saxon Hexta or Hext meaning "the highest." The family name emerged at Kingston in Devon where they were Lords of the manor for many centuries.
Some of the family were found in nearby Cornwall from early times. "The estate of Trenarren, which was anciently denominated a manor, belonged to the priory of Tywardreath, to whom it was either given or confirmed by Robert de Cardinhan in the reign of Richard I. For several generations this estate has been in the family of Hext. The old mansion being in a decayed state, has been taken down, and another erected in its stead, by Thomas Hext, Esq. of Lostwithiel, who occasionally makes it the place of his residence." [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hext research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 158 and 1580 are included under the topic Early Hext History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Hext were recorded, including Hexta, Hext, Heckst and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Hext Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.