Map of England showing where the Hewes arms are recorded
The Hewes arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1568.
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 Hewes 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 Hewes Family in England
The surname Hewes is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Hugh. The name Hugh itself comes from the Germanic word for mind or spirit. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Somerset in 1568, the spelling had begun to stabilize into the form we recognize today. During this period, families often lived in small rural communities where they worked as farmers or tradespeople. Because the name was tied to a common first name, it appeared in various records across England as families moved for work or marriage. These early ancestors were part of a growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of the West Country during the sixteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugh
A Germanic name derived from the word for heart, mind, or spirit.
This name
HewesA patronymic surname meaning son of Hugh, indicating descent from a person of intellect.
also spelled
Hewis
Hewse
Hughes
Related arms
Hewisvariant spelling
Hewishvariant spelling
Hewsevariant spelling
Hughesvariant 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
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1568
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
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
