Origin of Hacker

This interesting and unusual name is of Olde English origins. It is occupational and originally described either a woodcutter or possibly one who manufactured 'cutting' implements such a billhooks and scythes. The derivation is from the Middle English 12th century 'hacken', itself a variant the pre 7th century 'haccian', to hack or cut. The early recordings are all found in the South of England, and may be associated with the ancient language of Kent-Sussex. Amongst the earliest examples is that of John Hakyere in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296, and William Hakker in the Close Rolls of King Henry 1V in 1411.

Examples of early church recordings include Alice Hacker who married Edward Pusey at St Margarets, Westminster on January 7th 1620, and Deane Hacker christened at St Margarets Lothbury, London, on March 23rd 1666. John Hacker, aged seventeen, was one of the earliest emigrants to America. He is recorded in the inhabitants muster of 'James Cittye, Virginea' on February 21st 1624, at Mr James Blaney's planation. He sailed from London, England, in the ship 'Hopewell' in 1623. Perhaps the most famous Hacker, was Colonel Francis Hacker who supervised the execution of King Charles 1st in 1649, refusing to let him speak to the crowd. He had earlier been a signatory to the kings death warrant. In 1660 on the restoration of Charles 11, he was one of the very few parliamentarians to be executed as a regicide. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam le Hakkere, which was dated 1262, in the 'Occupation' list for the county of Hampshire, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as 'The Frenchman', 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.