A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hanlon family of England.
Reg. 4414 · 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 Hanlon Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Hanlon arms are recorded
The Hanlon 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 Hanlon 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 Hanlon Family in England
The surname Hanlon has deep roots that trace back to the Gaelic traditions of Ireland, where it originated as a name denoting a descendant of a fierce or heroic warrior. While the name is famously associated with the province of Ulster, members of the family began to migrate and establish themselves in other regions during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that individuals bearing the Hanlon name were living in the county of Kent in England. This period was marked by significant social movement, as people often relocated for trade, agricultural work, or to seek new opportunities in the growing English economy. These early settlers in Kent helped to transition the name from its Irish origins into the broader landscape of British history, where it became integrated into local communities over the following generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
O hAnnluain
Descendant of the champion or warrior
This name
HanlonDerived from an Irish Gaelic patronymic meaning descendant of the heroic warrior.
also spelled
Hanlan
Hanlen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
The National Archives, Kew. State Papers Domestic, James I. SP 14
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
