Tracing Huguenot History in England

Tracing Huguenot History in England

Britain has welcomed immigrants throughout its history, and one significant group arrived during the 16th and 17th centuries: Protestant refugees from France and the Walloon regions of what is now Belgium.

These refugees, known as Huguenots, fled religious persecution in Catholic territories and sought safety in Protestant England. Their descendants now number in the hundreds of thousands across the UK, making Huguenot ancestry a common thread in some British family trees.

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Who Were the Huguenots?

The term Huguenot is somewhat loose in its application. It generally refers to French and Walloon Protestants who followed the reformed teachings of John Calvin. In France, the Catholic Church held considerable power, and Protestants faced varying degrees of hostility depending on the political climate.

After a period of religious conflict, the Huguenots won certain rights through armed resistance. Some arrived in England during the reign of Elizabeth I, establishing their first church at Threadneedle Street in London in 1550. However, the major influx came later.

The situation in France worsened dramatically with the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572, when thousands of Huguenots were killed. The 1598 Edict of Nantes then granted them a measure of religious freedom, allowing Protestant worship in designated areas. This relative peace lasted nearly a century.

When Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, persecution resumed with renewed intensity. Huguenots faced imprisonment, forced conversion, and violence. Many fled to Protestant countries across Europe, with England receiving a substantial number during the reign of Charles II and in the years that followed.

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Where Huguenots Settled in England

The largest Huguenot communities formed in London, particularly in Spitalfields, Soho, and the area around the Savoy. Canterbury also became a major centre, along with several other towns in the south and east of England.

Many Huguenots were skilled craftspeople. They brought expertise in silk weaving, silversmithing, clockmaking, and other trades. Spitalfields became famous for its silk industry, largely due to Huguenot weavers. Their influence on English craftsmanship and commerce was substantial.

The refugees established their own places of worship, some of which still exist today. The French Protestant Church of London continues to hold services, as does the French Church in Canterbury.

Researching Huguenot Ancestry

If you suspect Huguenot ancestry, several resources can help with your research. French surnames can be one indicator, though not all French names point to Huguenot origins, and many families anglicised their names over time. Bosanquet became Baskett, for example, and Lefevre sometimes became Feaver.

The Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland is the main organisation for those researching this ancestry. They hold extensive records including church registers, naturalisation papers, and denization rolls. Their library and archives are available to members and researchers.

The National Archives at Kew holds records relating to Huguenot immigration, including returns of aliens and naturalisation documents. These can help establish when and where your ancestors arrived.

Useful records for Huguenot research include:

• French Protestant church registers, many of which have been transcribed and indexed
• Letters of denization, which granted foreign Protestants certain rights
• Naturalisation records
• Parish registers from areas with known Huguenot populations
• Wills and probate records, sometimes written in French

Online resources such as Ancestry, Findmypast, and FamilySearch contain transcribed Huguenot records. Some county record offices hold local material relating to Huguenot communities in their areas.

Tracing Huguenot ancestry can be rewarding, though records may be in French or Latin. The Huguenot Society publishes guides and transcriptions that can help, and professional genealogists with language expertise can assist with translating original documents.

The Next Step

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