Map of England showing where the Hackworth arms are recorded
The Hackworth arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Hackworth 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Hackworth Family in England
The surname Hackworth is a topographical name that likely originated from the Old English words "haca," meaning a hook or a bend in a river, and "worth," which refers to an enclosed homestead or farm. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon. During this period, Devon was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The name suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landholders who lived near a distinct geographic feature, such as a winding stream or a curved valley. As the family expanded throughout the region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the rural economy and the community life that defined the West Country during the reign of King James I.
Hackworth Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Haga
An Old English term referring to an enclosure or a hedge.
This name
HackworthDerived from a place name meaning an enclosure or farmstead belonging to a person named Haca.
also spelled
Hackworthie
Hackwirthy
Hacworthy
Hackwarthy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
