A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hanford family of England.
Reg. 8678 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“Gu. three mullets ar”
LincolnWatton · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Hanford Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Hanford arms are recorded
The Hanford arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Hanford 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Hanford Family in England
The surname Hanford is of English origin and is classified as a locational name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place. The name is composed of two Old English elements: "han," which refers to a high or stony place, and "ford," which describes a shallow river crossing. Families bearing this name likely lived near a prominent river crossing located on high or rocky ground. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Hanford family were well-established in the city of Lincoln. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in the East Midlands, a region known for its trade and historical significance. As the family settled in Lincoln, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the city during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hean-ford
Old English words for high or chief and a river crossing.
This name
HanfordRefers to a settlement located near a high or principal river ford.
also spelled
Handford
Hanforth
Related arms
Hamfordvariant spelling
Handfordvariant spelling
Holwayrecorded with Hanford, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Administrative Papers, 1620
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1998
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
