A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hearn family of England.
Reg. 8363 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 chev. erm. betw. three herons ar. beaked and legged or”
Englandc. 1566
Where the Hearn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hearn arms are recorded
The Hearn arms were recorded in England, c. 1566.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hearn 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 Hearn Family in England
The family name Hearn has deep roots in England, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1566. The name is generally categorized as a topographical surname, which means it was likely given to people who lived near a specific landmark or geographic feature. Many linguists believe the name derives from the Middle English word "herne," which referred to a nook, a corner of land, or a secluded bend in a river. As families began to adopt permanent surnames during the Middle Ages, those living near these distinct landscape features were often identified by their location. By the time the name appeared in York records during the sixteenth century, the family had already established a presence in northern England, likely working in trades or agriculture that defined the local economy of that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hera
Old English word for an army or a host of warriors.
This name
HearnA topographic name for someone who lived near a heron or a nickname for a person with heron-like features.
also spelled
Heron
Hearn
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1566
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
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
