A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haydon family of England.
Reg. 1373 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 bars gemels az. on a chief gu. a fess dancettée or”
DevonEpford · Devon, c. 1290
Where the Haydon Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Haydon arms are recorded
The Haydon arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1290.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Edward I of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward I of England
1272–1307
Reigning in England when the Haydon 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Haydon Family in England
The surname Haydon traces its roots to the rolling landscapes of Devon, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1290. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old English words "heg," meaning hay, and "dun," meaning a hill or down. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were individuals who lived near or worked upon a hay-covered hill. During the medieval period, families often took their names from the specific features of the land they occupied, and the Haydons became deeply connected to the rural economy of the West Country. Over the following centuries, the family grew in local influence, transitioning from small-scale landholders to prominent figures within the Devonshire community. Their long presence in the region reflects a deep ancestral tie to the English countryside, marking them as a family whose identity was shaped by the geography of their home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heg-dun
Old English words for hedge or enclosure and a hill.
This name
HaydonDerived from a topographical location referring to a hill enclosed by a hedge.
also spelled
Hayden
Heydon
Haidon
Related arms
Heydonsame arms
Haidonvariant spelling
Haydenvariant spelling
Allenrecorded with Haydon, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
The National Archives, Feet of Fines for the County of Devon, CP 25/1
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
