A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hartland family of England.
Reg. 6605 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. on a bend sa. three bucks' heads erased or, quartering DIXON”
DevonThe Oaklands · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Hartland Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Hartland arms are recorded
The Hartland arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 Hartland 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Hartland Family in England
The surname Hartland is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old English words "heort," meaning stag, and "land," referring to a piece of territory or an estate. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Devon, particularly in the rugged coastal areas of the North Devon peninsula. Records from 1620 confirm their presence in this region, where the landscape is defined by high cliffs and ancient woodlands that likely provided the inspiration for the name. Families with this surname were often deeply connected to the local parish communities, working as farmers or landowners who shaped the rural character of the West Country. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their long-standing roots in the Devonshire countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heort-land
Old English for stag or deer and land or territory.
This name
HartlandRefers to a geographical location or estate associated with deer or stags.
also spelled
Hartlan
Hartlane
Related arms
Hertlandvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
