Show ContentsHughat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hughat

What does the name Hughat mean?

The name Hughat reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hughat family lived in Huet or Huest near Evreux in Normandy, France. 1 Alternatively, the name was derived from 'the son of Hugh'; Middle English Hugh, How, and Hew, diminutive Hughet and Hewet. 2

Early Origins of the Hughat family

The surname Hughat was first found in Devon, where the first record of the family was Roger Huet, Huiet who was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1182, 1185. Later, the Assize Rolls listed William Huet in Shropshire in 1221 and Roger Hughet in Somerset in 1280. 3

William de Huet paid a fine in Lincolnshire in 1204 and Peter Hughet was listed in Sussex in 1278. "Sir Walter Hewet was a distinguished warrior in France temp. Edward III., and from him descended the Hewets, created baronets 1621 and 1660, and Viscounts Hewet 1689, also eminent lawyer James Hewett, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and 1st Viscount Lifford." 1

Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed Gilbert Huet there temp. 1 Edward III. 4 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Agnes Huet-wyf; Ricardus Huetson; and Willelmus Howetson. 2

Early History of the Hughat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hughat research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1567, 1591, 1605, 1614, 1652, 1658, 1660, 1662, 1689, 1709, 1712, 1744, 1789 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hughat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hughat Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hughat family name include Hewitt, Hewett, Hewatt, Hewet, Hewit, Hewat and others.

Early Notables of the Hughat family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Reverend Thomas Huet (died 1591), a Welsh clergyman and translator of the Bible. Sir William Hewett (d. 1567), was Lord Mayor of London, son of Edmund Hewett, was born in Wales, a hamlet of Laughton-en-le-Morthen in South Yorkshire. His family had been settled in the adjoining county of Derby from early times. 5 Reverend Dr. John Hewett...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hughat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hughat family to Ireland

Some of the Hughat family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 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 Hughat family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Hughat family to immigrate North America: Ephraim Hewett settled in New England in 1639; Francis Hewett settled in Virginia in 1652; William Hewett arrived in Barbados in 1668; Richard Hewitt settled in Virginia in 1637.



The Hughat 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: Ne te quaesiveris extra
Motto Translation: Seek nothing beyond your sphere.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-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)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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