Hodinot History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change, including many immigrants with new names. Among these were the ancestors of the Hodinot family, whose name comes from the Norman name Odinet, from which the more commonly known Odo is derived. Apart from the aforementioned patronymic origin, the place name could also mean "pleasant valley," from the Welsh "hawdd" meaning "pleasant" or "peaceful" and "nant," a "glen or valley." 1 Early Origins of the Hodinot familyThe surname Hodinot was first found in Shropshire at Hodnet, a village and civil parish in the union of Drayton, in the hundred of North Bradford. 2 The first record of the place name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Odenet. 3 "The Hodnets, or Hodnetts, derive their name from the Shropshire parish of Hodnet. During the 13th century there was a powerful family in the county that took the name of De Hodenet from either the manor or the parish of the name." 4 Early History of the Hodinot familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodinot research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hodinot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hodinot Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more. Early Notables of the Hodinot familyMore information is included under the topic Early Hodinot Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hodinot family to IrelandSome of the Hodinot family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Hodinot familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hodinot or a variant listed above: Humphrey Hadnett, who sailed to Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth and James Hignett sailed to Maryland in 1666; John Hignett to Maryland in 1675; Francis Hadnett arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1767.
|