A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hales family of England.
Reg. 9709 · 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 Hales Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hales arms are recorded
The Hales 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 Hales 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 Hales Family in England
The surname Hales is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people who lived near a specific geographical feature. The name is derived from the Old English word "halh," which refers to a nook, a hollow, or a secluded valley. By the time the family was established in York in 1616, the name had already been in use for several centuries across various parts of England. Families with this name were often associated with rural landscapes where they worked as farmers or laborers in these sheltered areas. As the family grew, members moved from the countryside into growing urban centers like York to pursue new trades and participate in the developing merchant economy of the seventeenth century. This transition reflects the broader movement of English families during the early modern period as they sought greater economic opportunities within the city walls.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
halh
Old English term referring to a nook, corner, or secluded valley.
This name
HalesA topographic name for someone who lived in or near a sheltered hollow or remote valley.
also spelled
Hayles
Hails
Halle
Related arms
Hallevariant spelling
Hallsvariant spelling
Halysvariant spelling
Haylesvariant spelling
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1616
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
