A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hazzard family of England.
Reg. 1375 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. four bars ar. on a chief or, three escallops of the first”
GloucesterGloucester, c. 1620
Where the Hazzard Arms Were Recorded
Gloucester
Map of England showing where the Hazzard arms are recorded
The Hazzard arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Hazzard 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Hazzard Family in England
The Hazzard family name has deep roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Gloucester by 1620. The name itself is believed to be a variation of the Old French word hasard, which originally referred to a game of chance played with dice. During the medieval period, such names were often used as nicknames for individuals who were known for taking risks or participating in gambling. As the family settled in England, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that helped shape the local economy of coastal towns. By the time they established a presence in Gloucester, the Hazzards were already part of a long tradition of families who moved through trade routes and settled in growing urban centers to build new lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hasard
Old French term for a game of dice played with hazard.
This name
HazzardA topographic name for someone living near a hazardous or risky location.
also spelled
Hazard
Hazzard
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Records of the City of Gloucester, GBR/B/2/1
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
