Map of England showing where the Hartness arms are recorded
The Hartness 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 Hartness 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 Hartness Family in England
The family name Hartness has roots that trace back to the southeastern region of England, specifically the county of Kent. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Hartness family were established residents in this area. The name likely originated as a descriptive label or a topographic identifier, which was a common way to distinguish families during the Middle Ages. In the early seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. As these early ancestors moved through the landscape of southern England, they helped shape the local community through their work and daily lives. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture of the region, reflecting the deep historical connection between the family and the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heort
Old English term for a male deer or stag.
This name
HartnessA topographical name referring to a headland or ridge frequented by stags.
also spelled
Hardniss
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
C.W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
P.H. Reaney, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
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