A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hadfield family of England.
Reg. 4063 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a chev. sa. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hadfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hadfield arms are recorded
The Hadfield 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 Hadfield 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 Hadfield Family in England
The surname Hadfield is a locational name that originated in England, specifically referring to people who lived near a "heath field" or an open stretch of land covered in heather. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, where records confirm members were living by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families with this name were often involved in the local crafts and merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social fabric of Northern England, moving from rural agricultural roots into the urban life of one of the country’s most historic cities. Their early history reflects the broader movement of English families who transitioned from identifying with specific plots of land to becoming established citizens in growing regional hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hæth and feld
Old English for heather or wasteland and an open area of land.
This name
HadfieldRefers to a person who lived near a clearing or open field covered in heather.
also spelled
Hadfeld
Hatfield
Hadfeild
Hadfyld
Related arms
Hatfieldvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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cinquefoilHope and joy
