A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hall family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3225 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
What the shield shows
A black background with a silver mill wheel in the centre and a gold border running round the edge. Above the shield sits a crowned helmet, and on it the same mill wheel again.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à une roue de moulin d'arg. ; à la bord. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: la roue.”
AlsaceAlsace, c. 1663
Where the Hall Arms Were Recorded
Alsace
Map of France showing where the Hall arms are recorded
The Hall arms were recorded in Alsace, c. 1663.
Alsace lay between France and the German lands and belonged to both at different times. Its families held small estates and served whichever side ruled, and men who served in arms carried arms of their own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hall arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Alsace.
Origin & History of the Hall Family in France
The surname Hall is often associated with English origins, but its presence in France during the seventeenth century reveals a fascinating chapter of migration and cultural integration. By 1663, individuals bearing this name were documented within French borders, likely as part of the movement of merchants, soldiers, or religious refugees crossing the English Channel. In the context of seventeenth-century France, a name like Hall would have been viewed as distinctly foreign. It likely functioned as a topographic identifier, originally describing someone who lived near a large stone building or a manor house.
When these families settled in France, they often had to adapt to the local linguistic environment. French officials and scribes frequently recorded foreign names phonetically, which sometimes led to slight variations in spelling within official registers. These early settlers were part of a broader network of European mobility that saw families shifting between kingdoms for economic or political reasons. Their presence in the historical record of 1663 serves as a reminder that surnames were not always fixed to a single country but were carried by people who navigated the complex borders of early modern Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A silver background with a black band across the middle. A black greyhound runs above the band and another runs below it.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fess betw. two greyhounds courant sa”
YorkSkipton · York, c. 1568
Where the Hall Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hall arms are recorded
The Hall arms were recorded in York, c. 1568.
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 France when the Hall 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 Hall Family in England
The surname Hall is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people by where they lived. In medieval England, the "hall" was the most important building in a village or manor. It served as the residence of the local lord and the center of community life. People who lived near or worked at the manor house often became known as "John of the Hall" or "William at the Hall." Over time, this descriptive tag became a permanent family name passed down through generations.
By the 16th century, the name was well-established across various regions of England. Records confirm that members of the Hall family were settled in York by 1568. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious administration. Families living in the city were often involved in the influential craft guilds or local government. As the name spread from rural manors to bustling urban centers, it became one of the most common surnames in the country. It remains a classic example of how English naming traditions were shaped by the geography and social structures of the Middle Ages.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dogLoyalty, courage and vigilance
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A silver background. A black chevron with a scalloped edge points upwards, with three black hound heads set around it, each torn off at the neck.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. engr. betw. three talbots' heads erased sa”
DownNarrow Water · Down, c. 1645
Where the Hall Arms Were Recorded
Down
Map of Ireland showing where the Hall arms are recorded
The Hall arms were recorded in Down, c. 1645.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Hall arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Down.
Origin & History of the Hall Family in Ireland
The surname Hall has deep roots in the British Isles, but its presence in Ireland is primarily linked to the movement of people during the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Hall family were established in County Down. This region was a common destination for settlers arriving from England and Scotland during this period. These early families often integrated into the local economy by taking up roles in farming, trade, or the burgeoning linen industry that defined the landscape of northern Ireland.
As the seventeenth century progressed, the Hall family became part of the social fabric of Ulster. They were not a singular clan with a shared Gaelic heritage, but rather a group of families who brought their own traditions and occupations with them. Over time, they became deeply connected to the development of towns and villages in County Down. Their history in Ireland is a reflection of the broader patterns of migration that shaped the island, turning the name into a permanent fixture of the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heall
Halh
Spacious residence, nook.
This name
HallSomeone who lived or worked at a large hall or manor house.
also spelled
Halle
Hallee
Halleh
Haul
Hale
Related arms
Halevariant spelling
Haulevariant spelling
Blagdonrecorded with Hall, same area
Bodleyrecorded with Hall, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Boulanger, Elizabeth, Les étrangers à Paris sous l’Ancien Régime, 1998
Frijhoff, Willem, Embarking on a Life of Change: Migration and Identity in the Early Modern Period, 2003
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wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
dogLoyalty, courage and vigilance
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
