A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hayles family of England.
Reg. 1479 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a fesse or, betw. two chevronels ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hayles Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hayles arms are recorded
The Hayles 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 Hayles 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 Hayles Family in England
The surname Hayles is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for people who lived near a clearing or a hedged enclosure. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hayles family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub during a time of significant transition in England. As residents of a major urban center, these early ancestors were likely involved in the local trades and civic governance that defined York during the Stuart period. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests that the family was well-integrated into the community, contributing to the long history of the region through their daily labor and local connections.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hale
A hollow, nook, or remote valley.
This name
HaylesDerived from a topographical feature indicating someone who lived in a hollow or valley.
also spelled
Hayls
Hailes
Heyles
Related arms
Halesvariant spelling
Haylisvariant spelling
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, P.H., 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
