Show ContentsHughlitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hughlitt is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Old English given name Huwelet, Huwelot, or Hughelot. Nonetheless, the name is also a diminutive of the Old French personal name Hugh, or Hughe, which was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The personal name Hugh is a short form of various Germanic compound names formed from the element hug, which meant heart, mind, and spirit. 1

Early Origins of the Hughlitt family

The surname Hughlitt was first found in Norfolk where Agnes Hughelot was recorded c. 1248. A few years later, Thomas Huwelot was listed in Huntingdonshire c. 1250 and later again, Richard Hulot was recorded in Suffolk in 1275. Walter Howlot, Hughlot was found in Devon in 1310 and 1311 and John Huelot was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1327. In Yorkshire, John Highlot was listed there in 1357 and Robert Hulat was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1381. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Huwelot, Huntingdonshire; Walter Huwelot, Oxfordshire; Walter Hughelot, Kent; and John Huelot, Cambridgeshire. 3

In Somerset, Thomas Hughelot, was listed there, 1 Edward III (in the first years of King Edward III's reign.) 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Johannes Hughlot. 3

The famed, William Redington Hewlett (1913-2001), the American engineer and co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, who was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Early History of the Hughlitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hughlitt research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1619, 1627, 1638, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1692, 1704, 1710 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Hughlitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hughlitt 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 Hughlitt family name include Hewlett, Hewlet, Hewlit, Hewlitt, Hughelot, Hughelett and many more.

Early Notables of the Hughlitt family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Captain William Hewlett, the officer in charge of the soldiers at the execution of Charles I. He was later convicted on 15 October 1660 for his part in the regicide but was not executed.Ebenezer Hewlett (fl. 1747), was an antitrinitarian writer who lived at the New Pales in Sun Street, without Bishopsgate, London, and was for a time employed by the East India Company. 5Lady Sarah Hewley (1627-1710), was the English foundress of the Hewley trust, the only daughter and heiress of Robert Wolrych (d. 11 Dec. 1661), bencher...
Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hughlitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hughlitt family to Ireland

Some of the Hughlitt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hughlitt 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 Hughlitt family to immigrate North America: Mathew Hewlett, who settled in Boston in 1634; Elizabeth and John Hewlett settled in Maryland in 1774; Archibald Hewlet arrived in Philadelphia in 1858..



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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. 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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