A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halliwell family of England.
Reg. 3813 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 bend gu. three goats trippant ar. attired of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Halliwell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Halliwell arms are recorded
The Halliwell 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 Halliwell 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 Halliwell Family in England
The surname Halliwell is a topographical name that originated in England, meaning it was derived from a specific place where an early ancestor lived. The name comes from the Old English words for "holy" and "well," suggesting that the family likely resided near a spring or water source that was considered sacred or healing during the medieval period. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records confirm that members of the Halliwell family were living in this historic northern hub by 1620, likely participating in the local trades and civic life that defined the region at the time. As the family grew and moved, they carried this descriptive name across the country, leaving a trail of records that link their identity to the landscape of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Halig-wielle
Old English for holy spring or sacred well.
This name
HalliwellDerived from a locational surname referring to someone living near a holy well or stream.
also spelled
Hallewell
Hallowell
Halwell
Halywell
Related arms
Hallewellvariant spelling
Halligwellvariant spelling
Hallwellvariant spelling
Halywellvariant 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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
