A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hamlyn family of England.
Reg. 0553 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. two swords in saltire, the points upwards, hilted and pommelled or, quartering CALMADY and POLLEXFEN [which see]”
DevonPaschoe · Devon, c. 1611
Where the Hamlyn Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Hamlyn arms are recorded
The Hamlyn arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1611.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Hamlyn 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Hamlyn Family in England
The family name Hamlyn has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old German name Hamelin, which arrived in England following the Norman Conquest. Over time, the spelling evolved as the name was passed down through generations living in the rural parishes of the West Country. By the year 1611, the Hamlyns were active participants in local community life, often working as landowners or tradespeople who helped shape the economy of the region. Their presence in Devon during this period reflects a long history of stability in the area, as families often remained in the same villages for centuries to maintain their farms and local connections.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hamelin
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Hamo meaning home.
This name
HamlynDerived from a Norman personal name signifying a little home or a dweller near a homestead.
also spelled
Hamlin
Hamline
Hamlen
Related arms
Williamssame arms
Hamelynvariant spelling
Hamelynevariant spelling
Hamelyngvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1611
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
