A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hardwick family of England.
Reg. 3705 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a saltire engr. betw. four mullets or, quartering LANGHAM, of Gopsall”
LeicesterLindley · Leicester, c. 1620
Where the Hardwick Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Hardwick arms are recorded
The Hardwick arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into 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.
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 Hardwick 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Hardwick Family in England
The surname Hardwick is a locational name that originated in England long before the seventeenth century. It is derived from the Old English words "heorde," meaning a herd or flock, and "wic," which refers to a dairy farm or a specialized settlement. Families carrying this name were typically associated with the management of livestock or small agricultural estates. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Hardwick family were well-established in Leicester. During this period, the family was likely involved in the local trade and agricultural life that defined the Midlands. Because the name was tied to specific places rather than a single family line, individuals named Hardwick often emerged independently in different regions across the country as they moved to manage land or pursue new livelihoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heord-wic
Old English terms for a herd or flock and a dwelling.
This name
HardwickA settlement or farmstead where livestock was kept or tended.
also spelled
Hardewick
Hardewicke
Related arms
Hardwikesimilar arms
Hardewickvariant spelling
Barlowrecorded with Hardwick, same area
Brownrecorded with Hardwick, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
