Map of England showing where the Hellard arms are recorded
The Hellard arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Hellard 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Hellard Family in England
The surname Hellard is deeply rooted in the southwestern corner of England, with a particularly strong historical presence in the county of Cornwall. By the early 17th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in Cornish parishes, where they lived as part of the local agrarian and coastal communities. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational descriptors common in the Middle Ages, likely evolving from the Middle English word for a hill or a specific place name. As the Hellard family settled into the rugged landscape of Cornwall by 1620, they became part of the regional fabric, contributing to the local economy and parish life for generations. Their early history reflects the typical movement of families who remained tied to their ancestral lands, gradually spreading from small rural settlements into the broader social structure of the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
Old English word meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
HellardA locational or descriptive surname denoting a person who is brave or bold.
also spelled
Hellerd
Hellord
Related arms
Hellerdvariant spelling
Helliardvariant spelling
Hellord, or Highlordvariant spelling
Helyard, or Hyldeyardvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Polsue, Joseph. A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall. 1867
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
