Show ContentsHikling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Hikling date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Hikling family lived in Hickling, a parish in the county of Norfolk.

Early Origins of the Hikling family

The surname Hikling 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 Hikling family

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

Hikling Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hikling 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 Hikling include: Hickling, Hicklin, Hicking and others.

Early Notables of the Hikling family

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

Migration of the Hikling family

Many 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 Hikling 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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