A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hedden family of England.
Reg. 6563 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three mens' heads sidefaced, couped at the shoulders sa”
EnglandMorton, c. 1620
Where the Hedden Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hedden arms are recorded
The Hedden arms were recorded in Morton, 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 Hedden 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 Hedden Family in England
The family name Hedden is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a topographical surname for people who lived near a heath or a wooded valley. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Hedden family were active residents in this region by 1620, a time when the city served as a major northern hub for trade and religious life. As the family grew, some members eventually moved toward the southern coastal ports, which provided opportunities for travel and migration to the American colonies. This transition marked the beginning of the family’s expansion beyond their English roots, as they carried their name and local traditions across the Atlantic to settle in new territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hede
Old English term for a head or a prominent hill.
This name
HeddenDerived from a topographical feature or a nickname referring to someone living near a hill.
also spelled
Hedden
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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