Daily AncestorHy.
Hy. is an old abbreviation of the first name Henry, common in deeds, wills, church registers and census pages.
Hy. is a clerk's shorthand for the given name Henry. Writers shortened common first names to save time and ink, usually by keeping the first letters and the last one or two, often with the final letters raised above the line.
It looks nothing like a modern short form, which is why it trips people up. Hen. is another abbreviation for the same name, and the two can appear for one man in different records.
As seen in a recordOfficer's name on a militia roll
Hy. Fisher, Lieut., 3d Regt.
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Hy.." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/abbreviations/hy. Last checked 2026-10-01.