Show ContentsHilderly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hilderly family

The surname Hilderly was first found in Berkshire, where the family name was first referenced in the year 1375 when William Hildesly held the estates of Bynham or Benham. East Ilsley, again in Berkshire, was an ancient family seat. "This place was originally called Hildesley, as appears from an inscription on a brass plate in the church, where the name occurs as belonging to an ancient family." 1

Early History of the Hilderly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hilderly research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1538, 1698, 1705, 1710, 1720, 1723, 1724 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Hilderly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hilderly Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hilderly family name include Hildersley, Hilderley, Hilderly, Hildesly, Hildesley, Hylderly, Hylderly, Hyldersley, Hylderley, Hildreth and many more.

Early Notables of the Hilderly family

Distinguished members of the family include John Hilsey or Hildesleigh d. 1538), Bishop of Rochester who is stated by Wood to have belonged to the Hildsleys of Benham, Berkshire, a branch of the Hildsleys of Hildsley, Berkshire. 2 Mark Hildesley (1698-1772), was Bishop of Sodor and Man, born at Murston, Kent, on 9 Dec. 1698, the eldest surviving son of Mark Hildesley, rector of Murston and also vicar of Sittingbourne from 1705. "In 1710 the father became...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hilderly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Hilderly migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hilderly Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Dinah Hilderly, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3
  • Sarah Hilderly, aged 21, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. South Australian Register Monday 14th August 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord of the Isles 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/jamesfernie1854.shtml


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