A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hampden family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3565 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au saut. de gu., cant. de quatre aigles d'azur. C.: un dogue arrêté d'herm., coll., bouclé et enchaîné de gu. D.: VESTIGIA NULLA RETRORSUM [John H., le célèbre patriote anglais, était de cette fam.]”
BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire, c. 1725
Where the Hampden Arms Were Recorded
Map of France showing where the Hampden arms are recorded
The Hampden arms were recorded in Buckinghamshire, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Hampden 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 Buckinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Hampden Family in France
The family name Hampden finds its roots in the deep history of the Norman conquest of England. Before the family became firmly established in Buckinghamshire by the eighteenth century, their ancestors likely crossed the English Channel from the region of Normandy in France. The name itself is thought to be locative, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place in England that the family settled after arriving with the Norman forces. This practice of adopting a place name as a surname was very common among the families who migrated from France during the eleventh century. By establishing themselves in the English countryside, these early settlers transitioned from their continental origins to become prominent landowners in the British landscape. Over several generations, the family integrated into the local society of Buckinghamshire, eventually becoming a well-known name in the region by the year 1725.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a chev. engr. sa. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hampden Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hampden arms are recorded
The Hampden 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 France when the Hampden 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 Hampden Family in England
The family name Hampden originates from the Old English language, derived from the words for a home or enclosure and a valley. While the name is famously associated with the landed gentry of Buckinghamshire, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, making it a logical destination for families looking to expand their influence beyond the southern counties. The movement of the Hampden name to the north reflects the broader patterns of internal migration in seventeenth-century England, where families often relocated to follow professional opportunities or religious communities. By settling in York, these early ancestors integrated themselves into the urban fabric of a city that was then transitioning from a medieval stronghold into a center of regional commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ham-denu
Old English for a valley belonging to a man named Hama.
This name
HampdenRefers to a settlement located within a valley or low-lying area.
also spelled
Hamden
Hampdon
Hamdon
Related arms
Hamdenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Lipscomb, George, The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham, 1847
The National Archives, Close Rolls, Henry III, 1227–1272
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
