Map of England showing where the Hendon arms are recorded
The Hendon arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Hendon 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Hendon Family in England
The surname Hendon is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or near a specific place called Hendon. While the most famous location by this name is in Middlesex, historical records confirm that families bearing the name were well-established in the county of Kent by the early 17th century. In 1620, the Hendon family was already integrated into the local community, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the rural landscape of the English countryside. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways depending on how a clerk heard the pronunciation, but it consistently pointed back to these roots in the southeast of England. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social and religious change, which eventually influenced many families to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. By settling in Kent, the Hendon family became part of the long history of English landholders and laborers who helped shape the region during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hegene-dun
Old English for a hill where hay is harvested.
This name
HendonDerived from a location meaning a grassy hill or valley used for hay production.
also spelled
Henden
Hendun
Related arms
Hendenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
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
