Map of England showing where the Hertford arms are recorded
The Hertford arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Hertford 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Hertford Family in England
The surname Hertford is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name traces its origins to the town of Hertford in Hertfordshire, England, which served as a significant administrative center dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in Worcester, a city known for its deep historical roots and role in the English Civil War. It is likely that these early ancestors were part of the migration of families moving between English counties for trade or agricultural opportunities. As they settled in Worcester by 1620, the family became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and development of the region during a time of great political and religious change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heortford
Old English for a river crossing frequented by stags or deer.
This name
HertfordDerived from a location in Hertfordshire, signifying a ford where deer were commonly found.
also spelled
Hartford
Related arms
Hartfordvariant 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, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of Worcester St Swithun, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
