Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au saut. ancré de gu. C.: une étoile (8) d'or.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hammond family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au saut. ancré de gu. C.: une étoile (8) d'or.”

The Hammond arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1775.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
The surname Hammond carries a rich history rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it evolved from the ancient Old High German name Haimo. This name is derived from the word heim, which translates to home or settlement. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bavaria in 1775, the name functioned as a patronymic identifier. This means that families often adopted the name to honor a specific ancestor who was known as a protector or a master of his household. During the eighteenth century, members of the Hammond family in Bavaria were typically integrated into the local agrarian or trade-based economy. Their presence in regional records from this period reflects the broader movement of families who were transitioning from small rural estates into the growing administrative structures of the Bavarian state. The evolution of the name from a personal title to a permanent family surname mirrors the way society began to organize itself more formally during the late Enlightenment era.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. on a chev. sa. betw. three pellets, each charged with a martlet of the field, as many escallops or, a bordure engr. vert”

The Hammond arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1551.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.
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.
The surname Hammond traces its roots back to the Old German name Haimo, which eventually evolved into the Middle English form Hamon. By the time the name became established in England, it functioned as a patronymic, meaning it identified a person as the son or descendant of someone named Hamon. While the name appeared in various regions following the Norman Conquest, the family established a notable presence in the county of Kent by the mid-sixteenth century. Records from 1551 confirm that members of the Hammond family were active in Kent during this period, often working as landowners or local officials. These early families were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of rural England during the Tudor era. Over the following generations, the name became deeply rooted in the local history of the region, reflecting the steady migration and settlement patterns of English families during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
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 chev. sa. three martlets ar. in chief a cross crosslet fitchée of the second”

The Hammond arms were recorded in Wexford, c. 1622.
Wexford was the corner of Ireland closest to Wales, settled early by Norman families. They held their land under arms and kept it for generations, which is why so many Wexford names carry recorded 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 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.
The surname Hammond arrived in Ireland primarily through English settlers who moved across the Irish Sea during the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in Germanic and Old French languages, its specific presence in County Wexford by 1622 marks a significant period of transition for the region. During this time, the area was a focal point for the plantation of new families who were encouraged to develop land and establish trade networks. The Hammonds who settled in Wexford integrated into the local economy, often working as landowners or merchants who helped shape the social structure of the southeast coast. Over the following decades, these families became deeply rooted in the local community, moving away from their status as newcomers to become a permanent part of the Irish landscape.
A Germanic element derived from the word for home or enclosure.