A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hast family of England.
Reg. 2885 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per chev. or and gu. three greyhounds in full course counterchanged”
NorfolkWyndham · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Hast Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Hast arms are recorded
The Hast arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Hast 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Hast Family in England
The surname Hast has deep roots in the English county of Norfolk, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier, reflecting the linguistic patterns common in East Anglia during the Middle Ages. In the early seventeenth century, the Hast family lived during a time of significant social and economic change in rural England. Many families in this region were involved in agriculture or the growing textile trade, which helped them build stable lives in their local parishes. By the time they appear in early seventeenth-century records, the family had already become a recognized part of the Norfolk community. Their presence in these historical documents suggests they were settled, land-holding individuals who played a role in the day-to-day life of their villages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hæst
Old English term referring to violence, vehemence, or rapid movement.
This name
HastA topographic or habitational name for someone living near a place characterized by swiftness or intensity.
also spelled
Hasty
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Rye, Walter, A Calendar of the Feet of Fines for Norfolk, 1881
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1538–1700
Tingey, John C., Records of the City of Norwich, 1906
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
