Hayes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Hayes

What does the name Hayes mean?

Hayes is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hayes family lived in Herefordshire. This name, however, does not refer to that municipality, but is topographical in nature and indicates that the original bearer lived near an enclosure of some sort. It derives from the Old English word haye, which means enclosure. 1 Another source claims the name was for a "dweller at the hedge or hedged enclosure; keeper of the hedges or fences; one who came from Hayes (enclosure.)" 2

Early Origins of the Hayes family

The surname Hayes was first found in Herefordshire where Bartholomew de la Hase held a fief in 1165. He claimed descent from Hayes near Blois, Normandy. 3

Early rolls had a mixture of entries in the singular and the now more popular plural form: Richard de Hay in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1170; Robert de la Haie, a Knight Templar for Hertfordshire in 1185; Roger del Hayes in the Hundredorum Rolls for Norfolk in 1275; Henry del Haye and Stephen in the Haye in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275; and Thomas atte Heye in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 4

From this early origin, the name was listed in a few locations, specifically, Norfolk, where some of the first records of the name were Edorard de lis Heys and John del Heys who were listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls listed Nichola de la Hay in Lincolnshire. 5 William de Hayes was listed in Northamptonshire in the 13th century as a follower of John Giffard (1232-1299), the English nobleman, but had his house plundered after the Battle of Evesham in 1265. 5

Early History of the Hayes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hayes research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1637, 1641, 1663, 1672, 1678, 1686, 1694, 1703, 1706, 1707, 1712, 1729, 1731, 1734, 1760, 1768, 1777 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Hayes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hayes Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Hayes are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hayes include Hayes, Hayse, Hays and others.

Early Notables of the Hayes family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Thomas Hayes of London
Sir James Hayes (1637-1694), founding Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663, Secretary to Prince Rupert and first Deputy-Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1672, eponym of Hayes River, Canada
Samuel Hayes (1641-1712), Deputy of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut from Norwalk (1686-1703)

Hayes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hayes is the 100^th most popular surname with an estimated 206,421 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Hayes is ranked the 366^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,556 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hayes is the 269^th popular surname with an estimated 164 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Hayes as 107^th with 24,748 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Hayes as 190^th with 2,944 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hayes as 164^th with 33,149 people. 11

Migration of the Hayes family to Ireland

Some of the Hayes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 154 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hayes migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Hayes, or a variant listed above:

Hayes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Hayes, who arrived in Virginia in 1617 12
Hugh Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1635 12
Richard Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1635 12
Tho Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1637 12
Mary Hayes, who landed in Virginia in 1637 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hayes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Hayes, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 12
William Hayes, who landed in Baltimore, NW in 1720 12
Johan Hayes, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 12
Judah Hayes, who landed in New York, NY in 1741 12
John Hayes, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 12

Hayes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Matthias Hayes, aged 32, who arrived in Virginia in 1813 12
Walter C Hayes, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 12
Alexander Hayes, who landed in New York in 1824 12
Eleanor Hayes, who arrived in New York in 1824 12
Patrick Hayes, who arrived in Aranzazu or Copano, Tex in 1829 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hayes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Michael I Hayes, who arrived in Arkansas in 1903 12

Hayes migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hayes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Hayes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
James Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1783
Mr. Thomas Hayes U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 24 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York 13
Mrs. HannahHayes U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 75 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York 13
Mr. Peter Hayes U.E. (b. 1755) born in Rochester, New Hampshire, USA who settled in Shefford Township, Eastern Townships [La Haute-Yamaska Regional County Municipality], Quebec c. 1784 he died in 1834, an associate of Capt. John Savage, married to Sarah Berry they had 6 children 13

Hayes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Hayes, who arrived in Canada in 1830
Michael Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1831
David Hayes, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
Jeremiah Hayes, aged 28, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
Timothy Hayes, aged 25, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hayes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hayes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Sir. Henry Browne Hayes, (Sir Henry Brown Hayes), (b. 1762), aged 39, Irish Gentleman and Mason who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life for abduction with intent to extort money, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1832 in Cork, Ireland it is believed he started the foundation of Freemasonry in Australia 14
Miss Ann Hayes, (Margath), (b. 1783), aged 30, Irish servant who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. William Hayes, English shoe maker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Sarah Hayes, (b. 1798), aged 20, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for house robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Thomas Hayes, English convict who was convicted in South Holland, (Parts of Holland), Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hayes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hayes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Hayes, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 18
John Hayes, aged 45, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
Hannah Hayes, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
Isabella Hayes, aged 7, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
Thomas Hayes, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hayes migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Hayes Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Thomas Hayes, who settled in Barbados in 1678

Contemporary Notables of the name Hayes (post 1700) +

Helen Hayes (1900-1993), American Actress, winner of Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy awards and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Rutherford B Hayes (1822-1893), American soldier and politician, 19th President of the United States (1877-1881), 29th and 32nd Governor of Ohio (1876-1877) and (1868-1872)
Thomas Hayes (1981-2025), American professional boxer (2002-2011)
William Foster Hayes III (1925-2024), American actor and recording artist
Philip Harold Hayes (1940-2023), American politician and lawyer from Indiana, County Attorney of Vanderburgh County, Indiana (2001-2002), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana (1975-1977)
Jaxson Reed Hayes (b. 2000), American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans
Kevin Patrick Hayes (b. 1992), American professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers
Hunter Easton Hayes (b. 1991), American multi-genre singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist
Brian Hayes (b. 1949), American scientist, columnist and author
Leah Hayes (b. 2005), American swimmer
... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hayes family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Joseph Arthur Hayes, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Edward Hayes, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Ernest C. Hayes (d. 1914), British 1st Assistant Purser from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Ms. Emma Hayes (1873-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21

Flight 191

D Hayes (d. 1979), American passenger from USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 22

Halifax Explosion

Mr. William Hayes (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. John Hayes, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
Mr. George Hayes, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Hayes, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. John Osler Chattock Hayes (b. 1913), "Joc" English Signal Officer from Dartmouth, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25

HMS Royal Oak

Thomas Hayes (1920-1939), Irish Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26

RMS Lusitania

Mr. John Henry Lamie Hayes, English Junior 5th Engineer from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27

SS Atlantic

Mr. Thomas Hayes, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. John Doran Hayes, American Boatswain's Mate First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28
Mr. Kenneth Merle Hayes, American Fireman First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28

USS Indianapolis

Charles David Hayes, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 29

Sources +

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Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew