Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. a hart pass. ar. attired or”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heddle family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. a hart pass. ar. attired or”
The Heddle arms were recorded in Denbigh, c. 1647.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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.
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.
The history of the Heddle family in Wales is firmly rooted in the landscape of Denbighshire during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1647, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of the town of Denbigh, a location known for its strategic importance and its imposing medieval castle. During this era, families in the region were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the shifting political climate of the Welsh Marches. The name itself likely evolved from occupational roots, as the term heddle refers to a specific component of a weaving loom used to guide warp threads. This suggests that the early Heddles may have been skilled artisans or tradespeople who played a vital role in the regional textile industry. As they settled into the community, these early ancestors helped shape the local social fabric, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the industrious nature of life in North Wales during a period of significant national change.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three unicorns' heads erased ar”
The Heddle arms were recorded in London, c. 1568.
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.
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.
The Heddle family name has deep roots in the bustling environment of sixteenth-century London. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in the city by 1568, a time when London was rapidly expanding as a center for international trade and craftsmanship. The name itself is thought to be occupational, likely derived from the word "heddle," which refers to a specific part of a weaving loom used to guide warp threads. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely skilled textile workers who played a vital role in the cloth industry that fueled the English economy during the Tudor period. By settling in London, these early Heddles placed themselves at the heart of a growing urban society, where their trade skills would have been highly valued as the city transformed into a global hub for commerce and industry.
A Welsh word meaning peace or tranquility.

