Higgeforth History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsOf all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Higgeforth is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the old village of Hickford, Shropshire. Early Origins of the Higgeforth familyThe surname Higgeforth 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 Higgeforth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higgeforth 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 Higgeforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Higgeforth Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Higgeforth has been spelled many different ways, including Hickford, Hikford, Hicford, Higford, Higeford, Hugford and many more. Early Notables of the Higgeforth 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 Higgeforth familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Higgeforths to arrive in North America: John Hickford, who sailed to Maine in 1640 and Thomas Hickford to Maryland in 1669.
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