Map of England showing where the Hewer arms are recorded
The Hewer arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Hewer 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Hewer Family in England
The surname Hewer is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. It was traditionally given to someone who worked as a hewer, which was a person who shaped or cut stone, wood, or coal. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established roots in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 show that members of the Hewer family were active in this region, likely continuing their trade or transitioning into local farming and commerce. Because Norfolk was a major center for the wool trade and maritime activity during this era, the family name became part of the local social fabric as individuals moved through the parish systems and contributed to the growth of their communities. Over time, these early settlers helped define the presence of the name in East Anglia, leaving behind a legacy tied to the skilled labor and industrious spirit of their ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
heawan
Old English verb meaning to cut, chop, or strike.
This name
HewerAn occupational surname for a person who cut stone, wood, or coal.
also spelled
Hewar
Hewster
Related arms
Hewarvariant spelling
Hewarevariant spelling
Hewstervariant spelling
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
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1620
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flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
