Show ContentsHoemant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hoemant is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was given to a person who was a person who worked as a servant for Hugh.

"The forms would suggest ‘servant of Hugh’ and the surname may sometimes have this meaning, but such a combination as a personal name is rare or unique. In late Old English times names in -mann were popular and new combinations were formed." 1

Early Origins of the Hoemant family

The surname Hoemant was first found in Huntingdonshire, where there were two records for the family found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Gilbert Houman; and Henry Houman. 2

Matill filia Hiweman was found in Wiltshire c. 1248 and Hugeman de Assinton was listed in Suffolk in the 13th century. In Huntingdonshire, Willelmus filius Howman was registered there in the Hundredorum Rolls and later, William Hiweman was found in Wiltshire c. 1248. Humphrey Huueman was found in Suffolk in 1277. 1

Early History of the Hoemant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoemant research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1518, 1585, 1653, 1664, 1724 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Hoemant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoemant 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 Hoemant family name include Homan, Homans, Howman, Hoeman, Hownam and others.

Early Notables of the Hoemant family

Distinguished members of the family include John Howman (1518?-1585) of Feckenham, Worcestershire, the last abbot of Westminster. He "was the son of poor peasants named Howman. The parish priest early discovered his abilities, and through the influence of...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoemant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoemant family to Ireland

Some of the Hoemant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoemant family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Hoemant or a variant listed above: William Hoeman, who sailed to Massachusetts with his family in 1635. Among the other family members who followed this first settler were: John Howman, who sailed to Virginia in 1637.



The Hoemant 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: Labile quod opportunum
Motto Translation: That which is opportune is quickly gone, or opportunity soon slips by.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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