A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hede family of England.
Reg. 0958 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three unicorns' heads couped ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Hede Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Hede arms are recorded
The Hede arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.
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 Hede 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Hede Family in England
The surname Hede has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records confirming that members of the family were established in the county of Kent by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a topographical descriptor, often used to identify individuals who lived near a heath or a piece of uncultivated open land. During the seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling region defined by its proximity to London and its vital agricultural trade. Families living in this area were often closely tied to the local parish system, which served as the primary way for communities to track births, marriages, and deaths. As the Hede family settled into this rural environment, they became part of the long tradition of English yeomanry, contributing to the local economy and the social fabric of their parish through their daily work on the land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hæd
Old English term referring to a hood or a head covering.
This name
HedeA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a headland or wore a distinctive hood.
also spelled
Heed
Heades
Related arms
Headvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion 1640-1660, 1966
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
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
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
