Show ContentsHuelen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Huelen

What does the name Huelen mean?

The Huelen name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Huelen is derived from the baptismal name Hugh. 1 As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Huelen family

The surname Huelen was first found in at the court of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066,) where Hugolin was Chamberlain to the King. 1

After this earliest entry for the family, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had listings with many spellings scattered throughout ancient Britain: Hugelin, alias Hueltn Sampe, Lincolnshire; Nicholas filius Hugline, Lincolnshire; Henry Hulin, Norfolk; Warin Huline, Cambridgeshire; Alexander filius Hugelin, Cambridgeshire; Simon Huweline, Cambridgeshire; and William Huweline, Cambridgeshire. Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Johannes Huelyn and Alanus Hoghlyn. 1

As a first name Hueline de Uggeshale was listed in Norfolk, temp. William II. 2

Early History of the Huelen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Huelen research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1087, 1100, 1169, 1273, 1379, 1627, 1662, 1685, 1711, 1732 and 1778 are included under the topic Early Huelen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Huelen Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Huelen were recorded, including Hewlin, Hewlings, Hughling, Hughlings, Hullin, Hueline, Hugelin and many more.

Early Notables of the Huelen family

Hugolin, Chamberlain to Edward the Confessor. At the Battle of Sedgemoor during the Monmouth rebellionon on 6 July 1685, the Duke of Monmouth and about 500 of his troops were captured and imprisoned. Among them was Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe and two brothers, Benjamin Hewling, a commander...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Huelen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Huelen family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Huelen family emigrate to North America: Benjamin Hewling, who sailed to New Jersey in 1677; Abraham and William Hewlings, also to New Jersey in 1678; and Philip Heulan, who settled in Newfoundland in 1869..



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook