Map of England showing where the Heseltine arms are recorded
The Heseltine 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 Heseltine 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 Heseltine Family in England
The surname Heseltine is a topographical name that originated in Northern England. It comes from the Old English words for hazel tree and valley, suggesting that the first people to carry the name lived near a small wooded hollow where hazel trees grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 show that members of the Heseltine family were active participants in the local community during this period. As the family grew, they became deeply connected to the social and economic life of Yorkshire. Their history reflects the common patterns of families who moved from small rural settlements into growing regional centers like York to pursue trade and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hasel-dene
A valley where hazel trees grow.
This name
HeseltineDerived from a topographical location describing someone who lived in a valley filled with hazel trees.
also spelled
Haseltine
Heseltyne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
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