Highat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Highat name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the village of Ayott in the county of Hertfordshire. The surname Highat can be translated as at the high-gate, a gate that led into a protected enclosure. 1 2

However, two other sources claims the name was "derived from a geographical locality. 'Of High-gate,' corrupted to Hy-yate, and finally Hyett. Probably Highgate in London is referred to as the instances are mostly found in that locality." 3 4

Early Origins of the Highat family

The surname Highat was first found in Hertfordshire at Ayot(t), of which there are two villages: Ayot(t) St. Lawrence, a parish, in the union of Welwyn, hundred of Broadwater; and Ayot(t) St. Peter, a parish, in the union of Welwyn, hundred of Broadwater. The Ayot(t) St. Lawrence "parish during the heptarchy, formed part of the possessions of the last of the Saxon monarchs; and a spot in the immediate vicinity, still called Dane End, commemorates a signal defeat of the Danes by King Ethelwulph." 5 Collectively the place names were listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Aiete. 6

The first record of the family was actually found in Somerset, where John atte Hagheyate was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 7

From this entry we found James Hyet listed in London in 1514, John Hyett in Worcester in 1539, and William Hiatt in Leicestershire in 1599. 4

Early History of the Highat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Highat research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1583, 1601, 1608, 1618, 1628, 1641, 1651, 1658, 1677, 1681, 1698, 1722, 1727, 1730, 1738, 1859 and 1943 are included under the topic Early Highat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Highat Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Highat has undergone many spelling variations, including Hyatt, Huyet, Hyett, Hyat, Hyet, Hytte and others.

Early Notables of the Highat family

Distinguished members of the family include Walter Hoyt (Haite, Hayte, Hoit, Haight) (1618-1698) from West Hatch, Somerset, he emigrated to America in 1628 and became a founding settler of Norwalk, Connecticut and later served in the General Court of the Connecticut Colony between 1658 and 1681. Charles Hyett (c. 1677-1738), of Painswick House, near Gloucester, Gloucestershire...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Highat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Highat family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Highat were among those contributors: Michael Huyet, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749; Jane Hyatt settled in Virginia in 1663; Samuel Hyatt settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants.

The Highat Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fac et spera
Motto Translation: Do and hope.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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.