Map of England showing where the Hemmingway arms are recorded
The Hemmingway arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 Hemmingway 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 England.
Origin & History of the Hemmingway Family in England
The surname Hemingway, often spelled Hemmingway in historical records, originates from the Old English language. It is a locational name, which means it was likely taken from a specific place where the family once lived. The name is composed of two parts. The first part, "Hemming," was a common personal name of Germanic origin. The second part, "ig," is an old word for an island or a piece of land surrounded by water or marsh. Therefore, the name likely described someone who lived on the land belonging to a person named Hemming. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 show members of the family living and working within this historic northern English city. Over time, the family spread through the region, contributing to the local history of Yorkshire as farmers, tradespeople, and citizens.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haming
Old Norse personal name meaning shapeshifter or one who changes form.
This name
HemmingwayDescendant of the man who is a shapeshifter or dweller at the homestead of Haming.
also spelled
Heningway
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
