Show ContentsHikman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hikman is one of the oldest family names to come from the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Hickman. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honour of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Hikman family

The surname Hikman was first found in Lincolnshire, where the Hickman family of Gainsborough trace back to Robert Fitz-Hickman, lord of the manors of Bloxham and Wickham. 1

Hykeman was listed with no forename and Walter Hikeman was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 in Oxfordshire. Richard Hykemon and Juliana Hykemones were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2

Early History of the Hikman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hikman research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1604, 1627, 1629, 1648, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1663, 1676, 1681, 1682, 1687, 1690, 1692, 1701, 1703, 1713, 1720, 1733 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Hikman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hikman 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 Hikman has undergone many spelling variations, including Hickman, Hykeman, Hyckman and others.

Early Notables of the Hikman family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Willoughby Hickman, 1st Baronet (1604-1650); Sir William Hickman, 2nd Baronet (1629-1682), an English politician, Member of Parliament for East Retford (1660); Sir Willoughby Hickman, 3rd Baronet (1659-1720); Sir Nevile Hickman, 4th Baronet (1701-1733); and Sir Nevile George Hickman, 5th Baronet (died 1781.) Henry Hickman (died 1692), was an English ejected minister and controversialist from Worcestershire; Thomas Hickman-Windsor, 1st Earl of Plymouth (c.1627-1687), was Governor of Jamaica; and Charles...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hikman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hikman family to Ireland

Some of the Hikman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hikman 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 Hikman were among those contributors: Henry Hickman settled in Virginia in 1635; Richard Hickman settled in Jamaica in 1661; William Hickman settled in Virginia in 1655; Thomas Hickman settled in Virginia in 1652.



The Hikman 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: Toujours fidele
Motto Translation: Always faithful.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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