Hargrove History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Hargrove comes from the family having resided in Hargrave, a place-name found in the counties of Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Suffolk. There is also a Hargrave Hall in Cheshire. The place-name is derived from the Old English elements har,which meant “hare” or “on the border,” and graf or græfe, which meant “grove.” The place-name as a whole meant “grove filled with rabbits” or “grove on a border.” [1]

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from a Saxon occupation, as “the provider or commissary of an army, from Here or Har, an army, and grave, a steward or disposer.” [2]

“Hargreaves is an old Lancashire name. It is also common in the West Riding, particularly in the Leeds district. There are two Cheshire hamlets called Hargrave.” [3]

Early Origins of the Hargrove family

The surname Hargrove was first found in Cheshire at Hargrave, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Haregrave. The Domesday Book also lists Haragrauna in Suffolk and Haregrave in Northamptonshire. [4]

The first record of the family was Geoffrey de Haregrave who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1188. [5] A few years later, in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, John de Haregrave was listed as holding lands in Buckinghamshire at that time. 

Later again, in East Cheshire in 1296, two records were found: William de Haregreve; and Richard de Haregreve. “The Hargreaves of Lancashire probably spring from Hargrave, Cheshire.” [6]

The Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire listed Henry de Hargreve in 1332. [5] This latter source notes that Hargreave Hall was located in Cheshire, but we can find no record of it today.

Early History of the Hargrove family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hargrove research.

Hargrove Spelling Variations

Hargrove has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people’s names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Hargrove, Hargreave, Hargreaves, Hargrave, Hargroves and many more.

Hargrove Ranking

In the United States, the name Hargrove is the 1,339^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [7]

 Hargrove migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hargroves to arrive on North American shores.

Hargrove Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Peter Hargrove, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 [8]
• Paul Hargrove, who landed in Virginia in 1661 [8]
• Elizabeth Hargrove, who arrived in Maryland in 1672 [8]

Hargrove Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Tho Hargrove, who landed in Virginia in 1719 [8]
• Nathaniel Hargrove, who settled in Maryland in 1733
• Hester Hargrove, who settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1736

Hargrove Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Sidney H. Hargrove, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1893

Hargrove Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• H. L. Hargrove, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, in 1900
• William A. Hargrove, aged 3, who landed in America, in 1905
• Maud Hargrove, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1906
• Viola Hargrove, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
• Elizabeth Hargrove, aged 27, who landed in America from London, England, in 1909