A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hesham family of England.
Reg. 3947 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. an anchor in pale or, on a chief of the last three torteaux”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Hesham Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Hesham arms are recorded
The Hesham arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Hesham 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 Hesham Family in England
The family name Hesham carries a rich history that stretches back to the early seventeenth century in England. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents of London by 1620, a time when the city was a bustling hub of trade and rapid social change. During this period, families often settled in specific parishes where they contributed to the local economy as merchants, craftsmen, or tradespeople. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from an ancient settlement or a specific geographic feature in the English countryside. As these early ancestors navigated life in London, they became part of the city’s evolving demographic tapestry, helping to shape the community during the transition into the modern era. Their presence in the capital during the early 1600s suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social and professional structures of the time, leaving behind a legacy that persists through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hashim
Derived from the Arabic verb hashama meaning to crush or break.
This name
HeshamA name of Arabic origin meaning one who crushes or breaks evil.
also spelled
Heisham
Haysham
Hesham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The National Archives, London Consistory Court Wills (1620)
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers (1620)
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames (1958)
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
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
