A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hails family of England.
Reg. 5262 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Sa. on a fess or, betw. two chevronels ar. a cinquefoil gu. a border erm”
Englandc. 1616
Where the Hails Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hails arms are recorded
The Hails arms were recorded in England, c. 1616.
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 Hails 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 Hails Family in England
The family name Hails is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1616. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Hails were often part of the local merchant or craft guilds that kept the city running. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific location, as was common for surnames developing in Northern England during the seventeenth century. Life for the family in 1616 would have been defined by the tight-knit community of the city walls and the influence of the nearby York Minster. As the family grew, they became part of the long history of Yorkshire, contributing to the local economy and the social fabric of one of England’s oldest and most significant urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hale
Derived from the Old English word halh meaning a nook or corner.
This name
HailsA topographical surname for someone who lived in a secluded valley or a remote corner of land.
also spelled
Hayles
Hails
Halle
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cinquefoilHope and joy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cinquefoilHope and joy
