Hockeridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Hockeridge was first found in Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Hackworthy or Hawkworthy, held by the wife of Sire Hervy de Hellean or Helion, a Norman noble who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. This noble Norman family came from Hillion near St Brieux, Brittany. They became the Lords of Asseriston in Devon.

Early History of the Hockeridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hockeridge research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1538 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Hockeridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hockeridge Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Hawkeridge, Hockeridge, Hockridge, Hockrich, Hockerich and many more.

Early Notables of the Hockeridge family

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