A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hearon family of England.
Reg. 6239 · 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 Hearon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hearon arms are recorded
The Hearon 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 Hearon 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 Hearon Family in England
The family name Hearon has deep roots in Northern England, with historical documentation confirming that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1566. During this period, the name was often recorded with various spellings, which was a common practice before standardized English orthography became the norm. Families living in York at this time were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds and local governance, as York served as a vital economic and religious hub. The Hearon family likely benefited from the city’s position as a center for wool production and commerce, which allowed families to build stable lives within the parish communities. Over the centuries, the name evolved alongside the linguistic shifts of the region, yet it remained tied to the northern counties where its earliest recorded ancestors first settled.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Here
Old English term for an army or a military host.
This name
HearonA topographical or occupational name referring to someone who lived near a military encampment.
also spelled
Heron
Hearn
Related arms
Heronvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
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
