Show ContentsHicklink History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient history of the Hicklink name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in Hickling, a parish in the county of Norfolk.

Early Origins of the Hicklink family

The surname Hicklink was first found in Norfolk at Hickling, a village and a civil parish that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Hikelinga. 1 The place name literally meant "settlement of a family or followers of man called Hicel," from the Old English personal name + "-ingas". 2 "A priory of Black canons, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St. Augustine, and All Saints, was founded in the year 1185, by Theobald de Valentia or Valoins." 3 Another Hickling is found in Nottinghamshire. This village near Melton Mowbray is on the southernmost border of Nottinghamshire. In this case, the place name was first listed as Hikelinge c. 1000 and later listed as Hechelinge in the Domesday Book. 2 St. Luke's church "is a handsome ancient structure, with a lofty tower: the lid of a stone coffin, curiously inscribed with Runic characters, has been discovered in the chancel." 3

Early History of the Hicklink family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hicklink research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1163 and 1327 are included under the topic Early Hicklink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hicklink Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hicklink include Hickling, Hicklin, Hicking and others.

Early Notables of the Hicklink family

More information is included under the topic Early Hicklink Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hicklink family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled 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 ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hicklink or a variant listed above: John Hickling settled in Boston in 1769; Ebenezer Hickling settled in Philadelphia in 1798.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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