A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hatter family of England.
Reg. 6077 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Paly of six or and gu. on a chief of the second a griffin pass. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hatter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hatter arms are recorded
The Hatter 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 Hatter 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 Hatter Family in England
The surname Hatter is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, where it was used to identify individuals who made or sold hats. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Hatter family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship. As hat-making was a vital industry during this period, those bearing the name were likely skilled artisans who played an active role in the local economy. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the social fabric of Northern England, reflecting the transition from a simple trade description to a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hætte
Old English word for a hood or a covering for the head.
This name
HatterAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of hats and hoods.
also spelled
Hattar
Hattor
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
