Map of England showing where the Heven arms are recorded
The Heven arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Heven 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Heven Family in England
The family name Heven traces its roots to the historic city of Hereford, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, Hereford was a bustling market town situated near the border of Wales, serving as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. Families residing in this area often took names derived from their local surroundings or specific geographic landmarks, suggesting that the name Heven may have evolved from an older term describing the landscape or a particular homestead near the River Wye. As the family established themselves in the region, they likely participated in the local agricultural and mercantile life that defined the West Midlands. By maintaining a presence in Hereford during this period, the early Heven family became part of the long-standing social fabric of a city known for its deep medieval history and strategic importance in English border life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hafen
Old English word for a harbor or a place of refuge.
This name
HevenA topographic name for someone who lived near a harbor or sheltered port.
also spelled
Hevenne
Related arms
Heaven, or Hevynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Duncumb, John. Collections towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford. 1804
Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre. Parish Registers of Hereford St Peter. 1620
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
cross symbolChristian faith and service
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
