Map of England showing where the Heskett arms are recorded
The Heskett arms were recorded in Lancaster Herald, c. 1713.
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.
Anne of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
Anne of Great Britain
1707–1714
Reigning in England when the Heskett 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 Heskett Family in England
The family name Heskett is rooted in the northern regions of England, where it developed as a topographical surname. Names like this were often given to people based on the specific landscape where they lived, and Heskett likely refers to a clearing or a patch of land covered in hazel trees. By the early 18th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1713 confirm that members of the family were active residents in this area during a time when York was a vital hub for trade and local governance. As these early ancestors settled into city life, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community as laborers, tradespeople, or craftsmen. Over time, the name evolved through different spellings as it moved across the region, yet it remained tied to the northern English heritage that defined the family's earliest known origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hesketh
Old Norse for a horse race course or a wooded area.
This name
HeskettA habitational surname derived from a location in Lancashire, England, referring to a horse race track.
also spelled
Hesketh
Heskete
Heskitt
Related arms
Heskethvariant spelling
Cokaynerecorded with Heskett, same area
Geddingrecorded with Heskett, same area
Jenningsrecorded with Heskett, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1713
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
