Map of England showing where the Hester arms are recorded
The Hester 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 Hester 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 Hester Family in England
The surname Hester is primarily rooted in English history, where it functioned as a topographical name for people who lived near a patch of gorse or brushwood. The name likely derives from the Old English word *hestre*, which referred to a place where these hardy shrubs grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hester family were living in this northern hub during a time of significant social change in England. As the family settled into urban life, they became part of the local fabric of York, contributing to the community during the transition between the Elizabethan era and the onset of the English Civil War. Because surnames were still becoming standardized during this period, the name Hester reflects both the natural landscape of the English countryside and the migration of families into growing administrative centers.
Hester Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Esther
Derived from the Persian word for star.
This name
HesterAn English habitational or occupational surname, often linked to the biblical name meaning star.
also spelled
Hestor
Hestir
Hestare
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
