Map of England showing where the Henchman arms are recorded
The Henchman arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Henchman 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Henchman Family in England
The surname Henchman originated in England as a descriptive occupational title derived from the Middle English word *henchmann*, which referred to a trusted attendant or a squire who walked beside a horse. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Northampton, where they became influential figures in local religious and civic life. Records indicate that members of the Henchman family were deeply involved in the administration of the Church of England during this period, often serving as clergymen or scholars. Their movement into Northampton suggests a family that valued education and professional service, allowing them to rise in social standing through their roles in the community. This transition from a title describing a personal servant to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of surname development in medieval and early modern England.
Henchman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hengest
Old Germanic word for a stallion or male horse.
This name
HenchmanAn attendant, squire, or page who serves a knight or person of rank.
also spelled
Henshman
Hinchman
Henchmen
Related arms
Hinchmansimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Northamptonshire Archives, Northampton St Giles Parish Registers, 1620
Oxford University Press, Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
lionCourage, strength and royalty
