Map of England showing where the Herald arms are recorded
The Herald arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Herald 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Herald Family in England
The family name Herald traces its roots to the historic landscape of Herefordshire, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. During the year 1620, records confirm that the family was living in the city of Hereford, a region known for its deep agricultural traditions and proximity to the Welsh border. The name itself likely evolved from an occupational title or a descriptive nickname used in medieval England to identify individuals who held positions of public importance or acted as messengers. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, participating in the daily life and economic activities of the West Midlands. Their presence in Hereford suggests a long history of stability within the region, where they contributed to the local culture and development of the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Harwald
Old Germanic elements meaning army and rule or power.
This name
HeraldAn occupational surname for a royal messenger or an officer of arms.
also spelled
Herold
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
