Hobard is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name Hubert. [1] 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.
However, another source claims the name could have been a nickname "from the small Falcon or Hawk so called (Old French hobert, a hobby, hawk)." [2]
The surname Hobard was first found in Norfolk as "Hubbard is a characteristic Norfolk name. The early form of the name in this and the neighbouring counties, both in Domesday times and in the centuries immediately following, was Hubert, occasionally written Huberd; and we find that Robert Hubert or Hoberd was rector of Seaming at the close of the 14th century." [3]
Over in Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Petrus Hubard; Alicia Hubard; Isabella Hoberd; and William Hoberd as all residing there at that time.
"The Visitation of Essex (1541) gives the surname of the family of Huberd indiscriminately as Huberd, Hobert, Hubert, and Hobart. Memorials of a family spelt indifferently Hubbard or Hobart are (or were) to be found in Little Plumstead Church, Norfolk." [1]
Some of the family did migrate to Scotland, but much later on and in small numbers: "Patrick Hobart, was burgess of Dundee in 1649." [4]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hobard research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1611, 1560, 1625, 1588, 1507, 1560, 1625, 1593, 1647, 1621, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1628, 1683, 1667, 1654, 1656, 1657, 1699, 1699, 1695, 1756, 1746, 1632 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Hobard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hobard have been found, including Hobart, Habart, Habbard, Hobert and others.
Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir James Hobart (d. 1507) of Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, Attorney General during the reign of King Henry VII. , He was the youngest son of Thomas Hobart of Leyham in Norfolk. [5]
Sir Henry Hobart, 1st Baronet SL (c. 1560-1625), of Blickling Hall, an English judge and politician. He was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, from a family long settled in Norfolk and Suffolk, was great-grandson of Sir James Hobart. [q. v.].
He was the son of Thomas Hobart of Plumstead, Norfolk. [5]
He would establish the first of the two baronetcies for the Hobart...
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hobard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Hobard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Hobard, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :