Map of England showing where the Heart arms are recorded
The Heart 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 Heart 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 Heart Family in England
The surname Heart traces its roots back to the medieval period in England, where it likely began as a descriptive nickname for a person with a courageous or kind personality. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Heart family were well-established in the city of York. During this era, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled crafts that supported the city. The name itself reflects the common practice of the time where surnames were derived from personal traits or physical characteristics. As these families grew and moved throughout the region, the name became a permanent fixture of their identity, linking them to their northern English heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heorte
Old English word for the vital organ or spirit.
This name
HeartA nickname for a person with a courageous, kind, or spirited temperament.
also spelled
Hart
Harte
Related arms
Hartvariant spelling
Hartevariant 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
The National Archives, York City Archives: Records of the Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
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
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
