Hawke One-Name Study

Hawke
One-Name Study

Topics

About the Hawke One-Name Study
Variants
Origin of the surname
Historical occurrences
Frequency of the name
Distribution of the name
Data
DNA project
Links
Contact Details

About the Hawke One-Name Study

HAWKE was my mother's maiden name and a considerable amount of research had been done on it by my family over the years, mainly from family lore and documents. I started working on it about 6 years ago and then decided to do a ONS for that name. I didn't realise how much work it would involve! But is is really interesting to see how the HAWKEs have circled the world and regularly have contact with others researching this surname.

Variants

HAWKE is the most common spelling, but it is often HAWK even after around 1840. Prior to that, parish records can have the spelling HAUK, HOKE, HAULK, HAUCK, and quite a few other possibilities. In most cases, they become HAWK(E) in later records.

I do not consider HAWK(E)S a variant, though it occasionally occurs. This surname has a somewhat different distribution.

Origin of the surname

The majority of HAWKEs can trace their families back to Cornwall, where it was already well established in the 1500's, or Devon. However, there are other pockets, especially in Yorkshsire, Lancashire and London, that could well have started from different roots.

The name HAWKE comes possibly from the look of an early ancestor - a hawk-like nose or expression, or his attacking or grasping nature! Or it may be from his trade, breeding or looking after hawks (though this could as easily have given rise to HAWKER?) There are a number of places in Cornwall with HAWKE in the name, but I believe these would have come from a family who lived there, rather than the other way round.

Historical occurrences

The most famous HAWKE was Edward (1705-1781), Admiral of the Fleet, who saved England from a French invasion and was subsequesntly created the 1st Baron HAWKE of Towton in 1776. He was elected as an MP for Portsmouth from 1747-76. The 7th Lord HAWKE was the well-known Yorkshire cricketer, Martin Bladen HAWKE (1860-1938).

More infamous was William HAWKE (1738-74) who was hanged at Tyburn following many years as a highwayman. However, he was something of a Robin Hood, often giving help to his victims rather than robbing them, and he rarely used undue force to rob his victims. He apparently left a wife and two children, but no names are given.

Frequency of the name

I have 1658 entries from the UK 1881 census (inc. variants), and 1528 entries (HAWKE only) on the 2003 UK electoral roll, which shows that, despite many emigrations, the numbers remain steady.

Distribution of the name

The UK 1881 census shows a distinct preponderance of HAWKEs in Cornwall (46%), Devon (12%), Yorkshire (10%) and London (9%). The rest are scattered over England, with a few in Wales (under 2%) and none in Scotland.

Current distribution is more even over the British Isles, though there are still 24% in Cornwall, 9% in Yorkshire, 8% in Devon, 7% in Lancashire and 16% in London and the Home Counties.

There are large numbers in USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many other places around the globe.

Data

To date I have on file about 37 separate HAWKE trees and I have data to do many more when time permits. I have been helped enormously by other HAWKE researchers who have shared their work with me.

I have most of the UK BMD from 1837-1920, and most of the 1841-1901 census records. I have these in a format where I can quickly cross-check any particular name or family.

I also have many parish records, especially for Cornwall, though there are gaps to fill. I have copies of all the Cornish wills and others from the PCC., some extracted and some fully transcribed.

I am gradually collecting overseas data - USA, Aus, NZ, etc. - as well as emigration data.

DNA project

I have registered with Family Genetics for a DNA study for HAWKE, but not started it yet.

Links

http://hawke-family.org.uk - to be constructed

http://cath-family.org.uk (for my father's family) - to be consructed

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Mrs Jenny L Bussey
E-mail:

This page last updated 25 February 2008.