Most text books on the origin of English surnames state that the name Hackett originates in France and has Irish connections. The early history of the name is largely conjecture because of the lack of written evidence. Hackett is possibly derived from the medieval given names Hack or Hake which were originally given to someone with a hunched figure or a hooked nose. It was the practice in France to form patronymic surnames by adding a diminutive suffix to the given name such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or el
The story of the surname Hackett in England begins with the Norman Conquest of 1060, when the forces of William the Conqueror defeated the native Anglo Saxons. After the victory William divided the countryside up into estates and gave them to his main supporters as a reward for services rendered. There were no Hacketts amongst these new "Lords of the Manor" but the surname was chiefly popular in the western midlands of England after the invasion.
Almost exactly one hundred years after the invasion 1170, the Anglo-Normans subdued Ireland during the so called Strongbow invasion bringing it under foreign rule for the first time. This invasion was led by Richard Strongbow or Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and Strigul. He was an English nobleman, great grandson of one of Williams generals, who by 1168 was in difficult circumstances, having lost his estates. Dermot McMurrough, an Irish king who had been driven from his Leinster kingdom by Rory OConnor, king of Connaught, enticed the Earl to aid him by offering him the succession of Leinster together with his daughter's hand in marriage. After asking Henry II of Englands permission to carve out a heritage for himself Strongbow sailed for Ireland with some 200 knights and 1000 men at arms, he took Waterford in August 1170. He then subdued much of eastern Ireland, including Dublin in a rapid series of victories over Rory O'Connor, and married Dermot's daughter. Dermot died in 1171 after which Strongbow consolidated his position.
Members of the Hackett family accompanied Strongbow during his invasion and were granted lands in the modern counties of Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare in return for their assistance. The family gave its name to Hackettstown in Carlow, and by the 16th century, towns of this name were also found in the counties of Kildare and Dublin. A branch of the family migrated to Connaught, where they settled at Castle Hackett, six miles south east of Tuam. As with many other Strongbow settlers, they came to identify themselves with the nation of Ireland far more strongly with their Norman ancestors. The family produced several sheriffs and members of parliament. Currently, the Hackett family appears frequently in the Counties of Kilkenny and Tipperary.
Eventually members of the Hacketts spread to other parts of the world, but the Hacketts that are the subject of this study are probably descended from the original Norman invaders who remained in England and did not form part of the Strongbow invasion.