Higefithey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of HigefitheyWhat does the name Higefithey mean? The ancestors of the name Higefithey date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Higefithey family lived in the old village of Hickford, Shropshire. Early Origins of the Higefithey familyThe surname Higefithey was first found in Shropshire, but we must look to Oxfordshire to find one of the first listings of the name, that being Edith de Hicford who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 1 "Sir Robert Atkyns, in his Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire, says (p. 109) that 'The Higfords were of an ancient family in Salop, originally styled Hugford.' About the reign of James I the surname was turned into Higford: this, of course, has now become Hickford." 1 Early History of the Higefithey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higefithey research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1581, 1596, 1597, 1607 and 1657 are included under the topic Early Higefithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Higefithey Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Higefithey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Higefithey include: Hickford, Hikford, Hicford, Higford, Higeford, Hugford and many more. Early Notables of the Higefithey familyDistinguished members of the family include William Higford (1581-1657), born near Alderton, Gloucestershire, a writer and Justice of the Peace. He was a Puritan, born of a good family. On 14 January 1596-1597, he matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford. He married Mary, daughter of... Migration of the Higefithey familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Higefithey or a variant listed above: John Hickford, who sailed to Maine in 1640 and Thomas Hickford to Maryland in 1669.
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