Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. two bends gu”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hackett family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. two bends gu”
The Hackett arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.
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.
The surname Hackett is rooted in the medieval period of England, emerging as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Hake. This name likely originated from the Old Norse word for a hook, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a sharp or hooked nose. By the time the name became established in the West Midlands, it was already well-integrated into the local social fabric. Records confirm that members of the Hackett family were living in Worcester by 1620, a time when the city served as a significant hub for trade and regional administration. These early ancestors were part of a growing class of English families who were beginning to settle into permanent communities, leaving behind traces of their lives in local parish registers and legal documents. Their presence in Worcester suggests that they were likely engaged in the typical crafts or agricultural activities that defined the economy of the Severn Valley during the early seventeenth century.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. three plumbers' hammers or hacketts ar”
The Hackett arms were recorded in Tipperary, c. 1639.
Tipperary was the best grazing land in Ireland, held by a small number of powerful families. Land of that value stayed in the same hands, and unbroken holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
The Hackett family name has deep roots in Ireland, particularly within the southern regions of the country. While the name is of Norman origin, the family integrated into Irish society centuries ago and became firmly established in County Tipperary. By the year 1639, records confirm that members of the Hackett family were prominent landowners and active participants in the local community of Tipperary. During this period, the family held significant influence in areas like Cashel and Fethard. They were often involved in the complex political and social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland, navigating the shifts in land ownership and governance that defined the era. Over time, the Hacketts became synonymous with the history of Tipperary, leaving a lasting mark on the region through their long-standing presence and local leadership.
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for hook.

