A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hay family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3696 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois écussons de gu. C.: un faucon ess., au nat. T.: deux paysans, tenant chacun un joug posé sur son épaule. D.: SERVA JUGUM.”
Belgiumc. 1452
Where the Hay Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Hay arms are recorded
The Hay arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1452.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
1440–1493
Reigning in Belgium when the Hay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Hay Family in Belgium
The history of the Hay family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm their presence as early as 1452. During the fifteenth century, Brabant was a prosperous center of trade and culture within the Burgundian Netherlands. Families like the Hays often integrated into the local social fabric by participating in the administrative and economic life of growing urban hubs. Because the name is associated with this specific region during the late Middle Ages, it suggests that the family likely held ties to the local land or served in professional capacities within the duchy. Over time, these early settlers adapted to the shifting political landscape of the Low Countries, moving from their origins in Brabant to establish a lasting presence in the region. Their early history reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the development of local communities during a transformative period in European history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three inescutcheons within a bordure gu”
Scotlandc. 1663
Where the Hay Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Hay arms are recorded
The Hay arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Belgium when the Hay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Hay Family in Scotland
The Hay family name has deep roots in the history of Scotland, where it emerged as a prominent surname during the medieval period. The name is often linked to the geography of the land, as it is derived from the Old French word for a hedge or an enclosure. By the time the family was firmly established in Edinburgh by 1663, they had already spent centuries integrating into the social and political fabric of the country. Many individuals bearing the name held significant positions in local administration and legal circles, which helped them maintain influence within the capital city. Their presence in Edinburgh during the mid-seventeenth century reflects a period when the family was deeply involved in the urban growth and professional life of Scotland. Through their work in trade and government, the Hays contributed to the evolving identity of the city during a time of great national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three inescutcheons gu”
WexfordTacumshane · Wexford, c. 1618
Where the Hay Arms Were Recorded
Wexford
Map of Ireland showing where the Hay arms are recorded
The Hay arms were recorded in Wexford, c. 1618.
Wexford was the corner of Ireland closest to Wales, settled early by Norman families. They held their land under arms and kept it for generations, which is why so many Wexford names carry recorded shields.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Hay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wexford.
Origin & History of the Hay Family in Ireland
The Hay family name has deep roots in County Wexford, where members of the family were firmly established by 1618. While the name itself has origins in both Scotland and England, those who settled in Ireland became closely tied to the social and political landscape of the southeast coast. By the early seventeenth century, the Hays were recognized as part of the landed gentry in Wexford, often holding significant tracts of land and participating in local governance. Over the generations, the family integrated into the Irish community, eventually becoming known for their involvement in regional affairs and their resilience during the turbulent political shifts of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Their presence in Wexford serves as a clear example of how families of diverse origins moved to Ireland and helped shape the local history of the region over several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haie
Old French term for a hedge or a fenced enclosure.
This name
HayA topographic name for someone who lived near a hedge or a boundary marker.
also spelled
Haie
Hey
Hayse
Related arms
Frasersimilar arms
Arnotsimilar arms
Cochranesimilar arms
Baillierecorded with Hay, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Pirenne, Henri, Histoire de Belgique, 1900
Wauters, Alphonse, Table chronologique des chartes et diplômes imprimés concernant l'histoire de la Belgique, 1866
State Archives in Belgium (Archives de l'État en Belgique), Fonds de la Chambre des comptes de Brabant
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escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bordureA difference between branches of one family
