Surname Hawkridge - Meaning and Origin
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Hawkridge: What does the surname Hawkridge mean?
The last name Hawkridge is derived from the Old English word heafoc-rec meaning hawk’s ridge or valley. It is believed the name was originally given to someone who lived in or around a valley or ridge that hawks used to inhabit. The name Hawkridge is quite rare, with there only being 401 people who share the name.
Historically, the Hawkridge name originates from England and it first appears in written records at the time of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain in the 5th century. During this time in England, the family reportedly moved from their home in Shropshire to the parish of Edgmond, which is just across the English border in present-day Wales.
In North America, there are several families that have been traced back to the name Hawkridge. It is believed that many of the original Hawkridges may have traveled to the New World in the 17th century.
The Hawkridge family name has evolved over the years and is still found in present day countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name is still quite rare in these countries, with a very small population that share the last name.
Regardless of where the family has lived, the Hawkridge have held a significant influence on the society and culture of their respective countries. This influence comes from the hard work of the Hawkridge family members, many of whom have contributed greatly to the advancement and growth of their home countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHawkridge: Where does the name Hawkridge come from?
The Hawkridge surname has a wide geographical distribution today, with the highest concentration in England and during colonial times in the United States. It is derived from the Old English words, haca (a hawk) and rycg (ridge), and is thought to have originated from a place near a Hawkridge.
In England, the roots of the surname is deep and complex, having ancestry ranging from the Anglo-Saxon settlements of the 7th century, to medieval Britain and the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hawkridge name has been around since the Middle Ages and is still commonly found across England today, especially in East Anglia, and the counties of Cornwall, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Herefordshire.
In America, the Hawkridge surname is traditionally found in the southern states, including South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The most prominent Hawkridge in America is thought to be James Hawkridge, listed in the Doomsday Book of 1790. It is believed that he emigrated from England in 1656 and settled in South Carolina. The surname is also found in more modern census records from the late 19th century.
Tracing the Hawkridge family boroughs one back centuries, with a potentially rich history to be uncovered. As the surname is still relatively common across England and the southern states, further research is likely to uncover more significant details about the Hawkridge family.
Variations of the surname Hawkridge
Hawkridge is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name of Hawca (or Heanca), a byname for a brave warrior, and the Old English word “hrycg” meaning “ridge”. Early records of this surname date back to 1240 when it was first found in Cambridgeshire, England.
The variants and spellings of Hawkridge include Hawkrigg, Hawkerige, Hawcragg, Hawcrage, Hawgaridge, Hawgrigg, Hawgrage, Hawgaridg, and Hawkreg.
The surnames derived from Hawkridge include Hakeridges, Harkridges, and Harkergs.
The spelling of the family name was greatly affected by the rules of spelling and literacy of the author recording it. It has shown slight variations in spelling over the centuries such as being spelled Hawkrigg, Hawkerige, Hawcragg, Hawcrage, Hawgaridge, Hawgrigg, Hawgrage, Hawgaridg, and Hawkreg. It has been noted that in some of the ancient charters the second element of the name was spelt as ridg instead of the modern spelling of ridge.
Famous people with the name Hawkridge
- Sir John Hawkridge: an English philosopher and antiquary from the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Andrew Hawkridge: an English football player from the 2000s.
- Joanne Hawkridge: a British Paralympic athlete who competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games.
- Gavin Hawkridge: an English Cricket player and umpire active since the 1990s.
- Michael Hawkridge: an English playwright of the 20th century.
- Harriett Hawkridge: an English author, editor, and publisher born in 1975.
- Peter Hawkridge: a British racer who competed in the European Formula Three Championship during the 1980s.
- Janice Hawkridge: an English actress involved in theatre, film, and television in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Jan Hawkridge: a British musician and producer active in the early 2000s.
- Paul Hawkridge: an English footballer in the late 1990s and 2000s who has won multiple youth championships and international competitions.