Howorthay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Howorthay surname lived in or near the settlement of Haworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Hayward's Heath in Sussex is another possible origin of the name. Early spellings of the name were listed as Huarth and later as Hearwarthe.

The surname Howorthay belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Howorthay family

The surname Howorthay was first found in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Today Haworth is a rural village within the City of Bradford, in West Yorkshire, best known by the vicarage and former residence of the Brontë sisters. Their father was the vicar. Haworth dates back to 1209 when it was first listed as Hauewrth and literally meant "enclosure with a hedge," from the Old English words "haga" + "worth." [1]

The Lancashire branch originated at Haworth in the Parish of Rochdale, Salford hundred. One of the first records of the name was Robert de Haworth, Abbot of Stanlaw Abbey, resigned after having served 24 years as Abbot in 1292. [2]

Robert de Hawrth was listed in the Yorkshire Pipe Rolls. Alicia de Haworth was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. Johannes Haueworth and Johannes de Haworth were also listed on the same roll. [3]

Early History of the Howorthay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Howorthay research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1419, 1447, 1676, 1679, 1680, 1683, 1767, 1793, 1797, 1798, 1802, 1806, 1812, 1817 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Howorthay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Howorthay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Howorthay are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Howorthay include: Haworth, Howarth and others.

Early Notables of the Howorthay family

Notables of this surname at this time include: William Heyworth (died 1447), Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (1419-1447.)Samuel Haworth (fl. 1683), was an English empiric, a native of Hertfordshire, and probably the son of William Haworth, who wrote against the Hertford Quakers (1676.) "In 1679 he was a 'student of physic' living next door to the Dolphin in Sighs Lane, and dealing in quack tablets and a tincture. He was patronised...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Howorthay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Howorthay family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Howorthay or a variant listed above: George Haworth (c. 1676-1724), who arrived from Gambleside, Lancashire in 1699; John Haworth, aged 28, settled in New York in 1820; James, John, and Richard Haworth arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1860..

The Howorthay 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: Quod ero spero
Motto Translation: I hope that I shall be.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)