A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hanlen family of England.
Reg. 9498 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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 crescents ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Hanlen Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Hanlen arms are recorded
The Hanlen arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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.
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 Hanlen 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Hanlen Family in England
The surname Hanlen is rooted in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where the family was firmly established by the early seventeenth century. During the year 1620, the region was a bustling hub of trade and maritime activity, and families like the Hanlens were often deeply connected to the local agricultural or mercantile life of the county. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly serving as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier for those living near specific landmarks or small settlements. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of southeastern England, witnessing the profound political and religious shifts that defined the Stuart era. By maintaining a presence in Kent, the early Hanlens were positioned within a vital part of the country, which served as a gateway for both internal migration and the broader expansion of the British Isles during the colonial period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heah-land
Old English elements meaning high or chief land or territory.
This name
HanlenA topographical name referring to someone who lived on or near high ground.
also spelled
Hanlan
Hanlen
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, 1958
Everitt, Alan, Continuity and Colonization: The Evolution of Kentish Settlement, 1986
Kent Archives and Local History Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
