Map of England showing where the Hett arms are recorded
The Hett arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1573.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hett 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Hett Family in England
The surname Hett has deep roots in the English county of Somerset, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1573. The name is generally considered a topographic or locational surname, likely originating from individuals who lived near a specific landmark or a small settlement. In the dialect of the West Country during the late sixteenth century, the name may have been linked to the Old English word "hætt," which refers to a rounded hill or a prominent rise in the landscape. As the family grew, they became part of the local agricultural and tradesman classes that defined the rural economy of the region. Over the centuries, the Hett family remained closely tied to the social fabric of Somerset, gradually spreading from their original homesteads into neighboring parishes as they pursued new opportunities in farming and local commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hette
A Middle English term referring to a hood or head covering.
This name
HettOriginally a nickname for someone who habitually wore a distinctive hood or cowl.
also spelled
Hiet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Somerset Heritage Centre, Bishop's Transcripts of Somerset Parish Registers, 1573
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of Somerset, 1573
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
