Map of England showing where the Heird arms are recorded
The Heird arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Heird 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 York.
Origin & History of the Heird Family in England
The history of the Heird family name is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, England, where records confirm that family members were established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade, religion, and local governance. Families living in the city at this time often derived their surnames from their specific occupations, physical traits, or the local geography of the region. The name Heird likely evolved from these early social interactions, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in Northern England during the seventeenth century. As residents of a prominent walled city, these early ancestors were part of a community that navigated the significant political and social changes occurring across Britain. By maintaining a presence in York, the early Heird family became part of the long-standing fabric of one of England’s most important historical centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heir
A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another.
This name
HeirdAn occupational or status-based surname denoting an inheritor of land or a title.
also spelled
Hyrd
Hyrdes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
York City Archives, House Books of the City of York
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
