Show ContentsHoskyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The rich and ancient history of the Hoskyn family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the name Os, which is a short form for several personal names, including Osgod, Osbeorn, and Osmær. Os is supplemented by the common diminutive suffix -kin. While early records almost all include the "O" prefix, over the years this was dropped and now we typically find the name with an "H" prefix. One source notes that the name could have been derived from the Dutch personal name, Huskens. [1]

Early Origins of the Hoskyn family

The surname Hoskyn was first found in Lancashire at Heskin, a township, in the parish of Eccleston, union of Chorley, hundred of Leyland. "Heskin being a joint manor with Eccleston, descended with it from the Gernets and Dacres to the family of Molyneux, of Sefton." [2]

Early London rolls included the two earliest records of the family. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1274 listed Osekin (without surname) and Robert Osekin. [3] [4]

Peter Osekyn was listed in the Feet of Fines of 1306 in Essex, and later Thomas Hoskyns was listed in Berkshire in 1463. [4]

Early History of the Hoskyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoskyn research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1566, 1638, 1694, 1764, 1676, 1609, 1680, 1640, 1654, 1646, 1648, 1634, 1705, 1682, 1683, 1675, 1711, 1677, 1767, 1717, 1722 and 1566 are included under the topic Early Hoskyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoskyn Spelling Variations

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 Hoskyn have been found, including Hoskins, Hoskin, Hosken, Hoskyne, Hoskyns, Haskin, Haskins, Hasken, Haskyne and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoskyn family (pre 1700)

Notables of the family at this time include Serjeant John Hoskins (1566-1638), an English poet, scholar of Greek, and politician. He was born at Monton or Monkton, now known as Monnington-upon-Wye, in the parish of Llanwarne, Herefordshire, an estate of which his family had long possessed the leasehold interest and was the son of John Hoskins. [5] Jane Fenn Hoskens (1694-1764), was an English author and early immigrant to America. The Hoskyns of Harewood in the County of Hereford, is a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 18 December 1676 for Bennet Hoskyns, Member of Parliament for Wendover, Hereford...
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoskyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Hoskyn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hoskyn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Hoskyn, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Rajah" [6]
  • Samuel Hoskyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajah" in 1849 [6]
  • Mr. Richard Hoskyn, (b. 1819), aged 38, Cornish quarryman travelling aboard the ship "Tartar" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 27th July 1857 [7]
  • Mrs. Anna Hoskyn, (b. 1818), aged 39, Cornish dressmaker travelling aboard the ship "Tartar" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 27th July 1857 [7]
  • Mr. Francis Hoskyn, (b. 1842), aged 15, Cornish quarryman travelling aboard the ship "Tartar" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 27th July 1857 [7]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Hoskyn 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: Finem respice
Motto Translation: Consider the end


  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAJAH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Rajah.htm
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1850_59.pdf


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