A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Herst family of England.
Reg. 2704 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. an estoile of sixteen points gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Herst Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Herst arms are recorded
The Herst arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 Herst 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 England.
Origin & History of the Herst Family in England
The family name Herst is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, and families like the Hersts were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Middle English descriptors related to the local geography, such as a wooded hill or a clearing in a forest. As the family established their presence in York, they became part of the social fabric of a city recovering from the turbulence of the Tudor era and preparing for the political shifts of the Stuart period. By maintaining a steady presence in this urban center, the early Hersts contributed to the long-standing traditions of Northern English civic life through their work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hyrst
An Old English term referring to a wooded hill or thicket.
This name
HerstA topographic name for someone who lived near a wooded hill or a small forest.
also spelled
Hurst
Hearst
Related arms
Hurstvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, Y/BR
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starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
