This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Hake,' from diminutive Haket. There can be no doubt about this origin. Though forgotten now Hake, Haket, and Hacon were very familiar in the surname period. Hake still survives in Yorkshire as Haggitt (compare Hick and Higg), more generally Hackett. As with Hack, Hake, and Hacon, the instances naturally are found towards the East coast; v. Hake.

Mabil Haket, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Ralph Haket, Buckinghamshire, ibid.

Robert Haket, London, ibid.

Thomas Haket, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johanna Haket, 1379: ibid.

Rolland Haket, Lincolnshire, Henry III Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

John Haget, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Roger Haket, Lincolnshire, ibid.

1586. Baptised — Ralphe, s. Richard Hackett: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1767. Married — Thomas Hackit and Ann Fitzwalter: St. George, Hanover Square.

1802. — William Haggett and Sarah Shepherd: ibid.

This surname may be derived from the lands of Halkhead, Renfrewshire, although a family bearing a different name (Ross) have been long (in record) in possession of the property. As -et sometimes represents-wood (as Aiket = Oakwood) the place name may have been originally Hawkwood, and there is a Hawkwood near Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Sir Henry Hakette witnessed a charter by Henry de Graham, c. 1230 (HMC., 2. Rep., App., p. 166). Richard Haket was juror on inquisition at Dumfries, 1259 (Bain, I, 2176; APS., I, p. 88), and Sir Walter Haket was in the service of Robert de Brus, earl of Carrick, 1298 (ibid., II, 995). Thomas Haket was burgess of Arne, 1415—27 (Ayr, p. 11, 82), and David Hacat, a Scotsman, had a safe conduct in 1432 (Bain, IV, 1051). The Halketts of Pitfirrane in Fife are said to have been settled there as early as the reign of David II, from whom they acquired the lands of Lumphanans and Ballingall, Philip Hagat, lord of Balnagall (Ballingall) is in record, 1390 (Pitfirrane, 7). "Daui hacet of lufennen" made a contract with the abbot of Dunfermline, 1437 (RD., p. 285). Robert Hacat held land in Stirling, 1463 (RD., p. 467), and William Hakket of Petfurane had a remission for slaghter committed by him m 1499 (Trials, I, p. 100). John Halket was chosen kirkmaster of Dysurt, 1537 (Dysart, p. 4), Robert Holkat was a prior in Culross, 1569 (Laing, 844), and Archibald Halkheud was an elder in Dysart, 1641 (PBK., p. 209). George Halket (d. 1737) was author of the ballad "Logie of Buchan." Hacate 1437, Hached 1560, Hacheid 1543, Hackat 1515, Hackate 1439, Hackatt 1650, Hackeat 1573, Hacked 1574, Hacket 1372, Hacquett 1599, Hagheid 1545, Hakat 1549, Hakcet 1585, Haket 1670, Hakete 1429, Hakheid 1575, Hakheyd 1545, Hakkat 1500, Hakked 1579, Halkede 1526, Halkeid 1509, Halkeit 1585, Halkhaide 1632, Halkhead 1592, Halkhed 1534, Halkheid 1583, Halkheide 1513, Halkhet 1532, Halkit 1634.

(English) Dweller at the Halk- or Halgh-Head [v. Halgh, and + Old English heáfod, a head]

A known corruption of Hareourt, 1669. See Burn's Tradesmen's Tokens, p. 73. But Hacket, a non-prefixed surname, is found in H.E.

Probably a diminutive of Hal, Henry. The Halketts of Hale Hill, co. Edinburgh, claim descent from the Halketts, who were "free barons in Fifeshire six hundred years ago." David de H. was a "powerful warrior" in the reign of King Robert Bruce. B.L.G.

The name in the charters of the family is written both de Hawkhead and de Halkett, and was assumed from the barony of Hawkhead in Renfrewshire. The family are descended from David de Halkett, temp. David Bruce.

The name of Halkett, in the writs of the family, is promiscuously written "de Hawkhead" and "de Halkett." It is territorial or local, and was assumed by the proprietor of the lands and barony of Hawkshead, in Renfrewshire, as soon as surnames became hereditary in Scotland.

Armorially identified with Hackett. Hence the gallant General Sir Colin Halkett.