Map of England showing where the Hendershot arms are recorded
The Hendershot arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1865.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Hendershot 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Hendershot Family in England
The Hendershot name is rooted in the landscape of southern England, where families bearing this surname established a presence in the county of Surrey by the mid-nineteenth century. The name itself is likely a variation of older topographical surnames, which were often given to people based on the specific features of the land where they lived or worked. During the 1860s, Surrey was undergoing a period of significant transition as the expansion of the railway system connected rural villages to the growing urban center of London. Families like the Hendershots lived through this era of rapid industrialization, which changed how people traveled, worked, and identified themselves within their local communities. While the name remains relatively rare, its appearance in the official records of Surrey during this time highlights a family history deeply connected to the social and economic shifts of Victorian England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. three piles issuing out of the sinister side ar. on a chief of the last a crescent az. betw. two erm. spots. (An older blazon is, per pale indented sa. and ar. on a chief of the second a crescent vert betw. two erm. spots)”
FifeFordell · Fife, c. 1664
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Hendershot arms are recorded
The Hendershot arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1664.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Hendershot arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Fife.
Origin & History of the Hendershot Family in Scotland
The Hendershot family name holds a distinct place in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, specifically within the county of Fife. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established in this region, a time when Fife served as a vital center for trade, agriculture, and religious life in Scotland. The name itself likely evolved from a combination of local linguistic roots, reflecting the way families were identified by their specific trade, geographic location, or ancestral connections during the post-Reformation era. Living in Fife during the 1660s meant that these early ancestors navigated a period of significant political and social change, as the region was deeply involved in the shifting loyalties of the Scottish Covenanting movement. While the family name eventually spread far beyond these borders, its presence in Fife provides a clear anchor point for understanding the early development of the Hendershot lineage within the Scottish landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hender-sceot
Old English for a dweller at a steep slope or corner.
This name
HendershotRefers to someone who lived near a sharp angle or a steep piece of land.
also spelled
Hendryson
Henrison
Hendreson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
General Register Office, England and Wales Civil Registration Birth Index, 1865
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861 and 1871
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
