A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heen family of England.
Reg. 5298 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per fesse or and ar. a fesse sa. issuant therefrom a demi lion ramp. gu”
GloucesterRuardeane · Gloucester, c. 1432
Where the Heen Arms Were Recorded
Gloucester
Map of England showing where the Heen arms are recorded
The Heen arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1432.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Heen 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Heen Family in England
The family name Heen has roots that stretch back to the medieval period in England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Gloucester as early as 1432. During this era, the name likely emerged as a localized identifier for individuals living near specific landmarks or within a particular community. As the family established themselves in Gloucester, they became part of the growing urban population that defined the city during the fifteenth century. Over time, the name persisted through generations, moving from a simple way to distinguish one neighbor from another into a lasting family legacy. This early presence in a major historical center suggests that the ancestors of the Heen family were active participants in the trade and social life of medieval England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heghen
Middle English term for a hedge or an enclosure.
This name
HeenA topographic name for someone who lived near a hedge or boundary.
also spelled
Heen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The National Archives, UK, Records of the Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/685
Herbert, N. M., A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4, the City of Gloucester, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
