Map of England showing where the Henden arms are recorded
The Henden 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 Henden 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 Henden Family in England
The family name Henden is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a valley or a woodland clearing. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Henden family were living in this northern hub by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade, religion, and regional administration. As residents of such a prominent city, these early family members would have navigated a society defined by the transition from the Elizabethan era to the Stuart period. Their presence in York suggests they were part of the urban middle class, likely involved in the local guilds or the bustling mercantile life that characterized the city during the early 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Henden
Derived from the Old English words for valley and pasture.
This name
HendenA topographical name referring to someone who lived in a valley pasture.
also spelled
Hendon
Hendenne
Hendin
Related arms
Hendonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
North Yorkshire County Record Office. York City Archives: House Books of the City of York. 1602–1625
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
