Map of England showing where the Heppell arms are recorded
The Heppell arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Heppell 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Heppell Family in England
The family name Heppell originates from the historic county of Northumberland in Northern England. The name is locational, meaning it was derived from a specific place rather than an occupation or a personal trait. It is believed to have come from the township of Hepple, which sits in the Coquetdale area. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this rugged border region. During this period, the people of Northumberland lived in a landscape defined by rolling hills and a history of cross-border conflict. Families like the Heppells were deeply connected to the local geography, often taking their surname from the small villages where they farmed or held land. This connection to the land helped the family name persist through centuries of regional change, eventually spreading from their ancestral home in the north to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hepple
A place name derived from Old English words for hip and hill.
This name
HeppellRefers to someone who originated from the village of Hepple in Northumberland, England.
also spelled
Heppill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Mawer, Allen. The Place-Names of Northumberland and Durham. 1920
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
bordureA difference between branches of one family
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
bordureA difference between branches of one family
