A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hawke family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6658 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. d'or semé de mouch. d'herm. de sa., acc. de trois bourdons de pélerin de pourpre. C.: un faucon ess. d'herm., bq. et grilleté d'or, ch. sur l'épaule d'une fleur-de-lis du même. T.: à dextre un Neptune de carn., revêtu d'un manteau de sin. bordé d'arg., sommé d'une couronne à l'antique d'or, tenant de sa main dextre un trident d'arg., emmanché de sa., dirigé en bas: ledit Neptune assis sur un dauphin de sa.; à sen. un cheval marin d'or, tenant une petite bannière d'arg., la hampe rompue. D.: STRIKE.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Hawke arms are recorded
The Hawke arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Hawke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Hawke Family in France
The family name Hawke traces its roots in France to the rugged coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm the family was established by 1725. During this period, the name likely emerged from the linguistic traditions of the area, reflecting the close connection between the local people and the natural landscape. Families living in Bretagne at this time often relied on maritime trade, agriculture, or skilled craftsmanship to sustain their communities. As the Hawke family settled into this environment, they became part of the social fabric of the province, navigating the unique cultural shifts and regional governance that defined eighteenth-century France. Their presence in the region highlights a history of endurance and adaptation, as they integrated into the local parishes and contributed to the growth of their community long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
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. a chev. erminois betw. three pilgrims' staves purp”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hawke arms are recorded
The Hawke 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 France when the Hawke 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 Hawke Family in England
The surname Hawke originated in England as a descriptive name, likely given to individuals who displayed the keen vision, swiftness, or predatory nature associated with the bird of prey. During the medieval period, many English surnames were adopted based on a person’s trade, physical traits, or local environment. By the early seventeenth century, the Hawke family had established a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were active residents in this region, which was a major hub for trade and administration at the time. Living in York suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the bustling urban economy of Northern England, perhaps working as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Over the centuries, the name evolved from a simple nickname into a formal family identifier that persisted through generations of English history.
Hawke Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
hafoc
Old English term for a bird of prey.
This name
HawkeA nickname for a person with a sharp, predatory, or aggressive nature similar to a hawk.
also spelled
Hawk
Hauk
Hauke
Hawks
Related arms
Halkevariant spelling
Hawksvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
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
ermineDignity and rank
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
