Map of England showing where the Hersey arms are recorded
The Hersey 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 Hersey 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 Hersey Family in England
The surname Hersey finds its roots in the medieval period of England, evolving from a locative name linked to the village of Hericy in the Normandy region of France. Following the Norman Conquest, families bearing this name settled across various English counties, eventually establishing a notable presence in Kent by the early seventeenth century. Records indicate that members of the Hersey family were active in Kentish society by 1620, where they lived as landowners and tradespeople during a time of significant social change. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became increasingly associated with the maritime and agricultural life of the region. This history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from their continental origins to become integral parts of the local communities in southeastern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hercé
A place name derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Hersius.
This name
HerseyRefers to an individual originating from the village of Hercé in Mayenne, France.
also spelled
Hercey
Hercy
Related arms
Hercyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Kent Archives and Local History Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
