Map of England showing where the Hartshorn arms are recorded
The Hartshorn arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Hartshorn 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 England.
Origin & History of the Hartshorn Family in England
The surname Hartshorn is a topographic name that originated in England, likely describing someone who lived near a prominent hill or land formation shaped like a stag’s horn. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 show members of the Hartshorn family living in this historic northern hub, which was a center for trade and religious life at the time. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the region through various trades and community roles. Their migration patterns later followed the broader trends of English expansion, eventually taking the name across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This transition helped preserve the family identity while allowing it to adapt to the challenges of life in a new world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heort and Horn
Old English words for a male deer and a hard projection.
This name
HartshornRefers to a geographical location or landmark resembling the horn of a stag.
also spelled
Harteshorn
Harteshorne
Related arms
Harteshornvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
