A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dills family of England.
Reg. 5255 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a chev. ar. betw. three hawks' heads erased or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dills Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dills arms are recorded
The Dills arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Dills arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Dills Family in England
The surname Dills is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with early records confirming that members of the family were established in the city of York by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a variation of the Middle English word "dill," which was a common term for a fragrant herb used in cooking and medicine. It is possible that the name was first used as a descriptive nickname for a person who grew or sold these plants. As the family settled in York, they became part of the vibrant social and economic life of a city that served as a major hub for trade and administration. Over the following decades, the family name spread as individuals moved throughout the region to pursue new opportunities in farming and local crafts. This early presence in York provides a clear link to the family's long history within the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dill
A Middle English nickname derived from the word for a plant.
This name
DillsA patronymic or locative surname originating from a nickname for a beloved person.
also spelled
Dylls
Dilles
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
