A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halifax family of England.
Reg. 0241 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Or, on a pile engr. sa. betw. two fountains three crosses crosslet of the first”
YorkYork, c. 1573
Where the Halifax Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Halifax arms are recorded
The Halifax arms were recorded in York, c. 1573.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Halifax 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 York.
Origin & History of the Halifax Family in England
The family name Halifax is a locative surname, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the town of Halifax in West Yorkshire, which was historically known for its role in the wool trade. While the town itself dates back to the medieval period, records confirm that members of the Halifax family were established in the city of York by 1573. During this era, families often adopted the name of their home parish or town to distinguish themselves as they moved to larger urban centers like York for work or trade. By the late sixteenth century, the name had become a stable identifier for these individuals, linking their identity to the rugged landscape and industrial history of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
halh-feax
A nook or secluded valley covered with coarse grass or hair-like growth.
This name
HalifaxRefers to a settlement located in a remote or hidden valley with thick vegetation.
also spelled
Halyfax
Hallyfax
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
Smith, Albert Hugh, The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1573
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
