Map of England showing where the Halls arms are recorded
The Halls arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Halls 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Halls Family in England
The surname Halls is a patronymic name that likely originated as a way to identify someone who lived near or worked within a large communal building known as a hall. In medieval England, a hall was often the center of local government or the primary residence of a landowner, making it a common landmark for naming families. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Halls family were well-established in the county of Salop, which is historically known as Shropshire. During this era, families in this region were often involved in agriculture or local trade, contributing to the growth of rural communities. As the family settled in Salop, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the English West Midlands, where their name was passed down through generations as a reflection of their geographic roots and community ties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
heall
Old English word for a stone building or a large hall.
This name
HallsA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in a large hall or manor house.
also spelled
Hales
Halles
Haulls
Hale
Halle
Related arms
Halevariant spelling
Halesvariant spelling
Hallevariant spelling
Hallesvariant 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
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
