Map of England showing where the Hepworth arms are recorded
The Hepworth arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Hepworth 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 York.
Origin & History of the Hepworth Family in England
The surname Hepworth is of locational origin, meaning it was first adopted by families living in or near a specific place. The name is derived from the Old English words "hepe," referring to a wild rose or briar, and "worth," which describes an enclosed homestead or settlement. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely resided in a clearing or farmstead surrounded by wild rose bushes. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Hepworth family were living there by 1620, placing them in a major urban center during a time of significant social and political change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the development of the region through their trade and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heppa and worth
Heppa is a personal name and worth means an enclosed settlement.
This name
HepworthRefers to an enclosed homestead or farmstead belonging to a person named Heppa.
also spelled
Hepwirth
Hepwourth
Hepwarth
Related arms
Bramhallrecorded with Hepworth, same area
Wilkinsonrecorded with Hepworth, same area
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
