Show ContentsHuntment History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The founding heritage of the Huntment family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Huntment comes from when one of the family worked as a hunter. The surname Huntment is a compound of the Old English word hunta, which means huntsman, or the Old English word hunte, which means the act of hunting, and the word mann, which is used either in the sense of hunter, or servant of the hunter. 1

Early Origins of the Huntment family

The surname Huntment was first found in Suffolk, where one of first listings of the family was John Hunteman who was listed there in the Feet of Fines of 1219. Later, John Hunteman or Huntesman was registered in 1347 and 1348, again in Suffolk. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Walter Hunteman, Cambridgeshire, and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls listed Simon Huntman. 3

Early History of the Huntment family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Huntment research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1565, 1650, 1704 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Huntment History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Huntment Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Huntment has been spelled many different ways, including Huntman, Hunteman, Huntsman, Hunterman and others.

Early Notables of the Huntment family

Distinguished members of the family include Benjamin Huntsman, (1704-1776), English inventor of cast steel, born of German parentage in Lincolnshire in 1704. He became a skilful mechanic, and eventually started in business as a clockmaker in Doncaster. He also made and repaired locks, jacks, and...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Huntment Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Huntment family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Huntments to arrive in North America: William Huntsman settled in New Castle, Delaware in 1852.



The Huntment 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: Esto vigilans
Motto Translation: Be vigilant.


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. 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)


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