Horroxforde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestry of the name Horroxforde can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a name for a shipwright or a sailor. The surname Horroxforde is derived from the Old English word horrok, which means part of a ship. 1

Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Horroxforde family

The surname Horroxforde was first found in Lancashire at Horrocksford. 2

"This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'Of Horrocks,' probably the spot known as Horrocksford Hall, in the parish of Clitheroe, Lancashire." 3

The first record of the family was actually found in Berkshire where John Horroc was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. 1

Early History of the Horroxforde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horroxforde research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1584, 1596, 1604, 1617, 1619, 1639, 1641 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Horroxforde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horroxforde Spelling Variations

Horroxforde has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Horroxforde have been found, including Horrocks, Horrock, Horrox, Horrocksford, Horrex and others.

Early Notables of the Horroxforde family

Notables of the family at this time include Jeremiah Horrocks (1619-1641) English astronomer, born in Liverpool, who became curate of Hoole, Lancashire where he made his first observation of the transit of Venus on November 24, 1639. He then deduced the solar parallax, corrected the solar diameter and made tidal observations. He was "born at Toxteth Park...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Horroxforde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Horroxforde family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Horroxfordes to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Horrocks settled in Virginia in 1635; George, Jeremiah Horrock and George, Henry, John, Thomas, William Willoughby, Wright Horrocks, arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1860..

The Horroxforde 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: Spe
Motto Translation: By hope.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)