Map of Britain showing where the Hewett arms are recorded
The Hewett arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1883.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Britain when the Hewett arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Hewett Family in Britain
The surname Hewett traces its origins to the medieval period in Britain, evolving from the Old French name Huet, which served as a diminutive form of Hugh. By the time surnames became common for tax and legal purposes, the name had spread across various English counties, reflecting the movement of people in search of land and trade. While the family established a notable presence in Kent by the late nineteenth century, the roots of the name are deeply embedded in the social fabric of the medieval countryside. Early bearers of the name were often associated with small-scale agriculture or local craft guilds, which allowed the family to integrate into the growing village communities of southern England. Over several centuries, the spelling shifted from early variations like Huet or Hewet to the modern version, mirroring the general evolution of the English language and regional dialects.
Meaning of the Hewett family crest colors & symbols
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. on a fesse flory counterflory betw. three lions pass. guard. or, as many birds sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1559
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Hewett arms are recorded
The Hewett arms were recorded in London, c. 1559.
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 Britain when the Hewett 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 Hewett Family in England
The surname Hewett emerged in England as a patronymic name, meaning it was originally derived from a variation of the personal name Hugh. By the time the family established a notable presence in London in 1559, the name had already evolved through several phonetic spellings, reflecting the way scribes recorded names based on local pronunciation. During the sixteenth century, members of the Hewett family were active participants in the growing commercial life of the city. They often integrated into the merchant classes, taking advantage of the rapid urban expansion and the rise of international trade that defined the Elizabethan era. This period marked a transition for the family from rural origins to the bustling social and economic landscape of the capital, where they became part of the administrative and professional fabric of early modern England.
Hewett Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hugo
A Germanic name derived from the word for mind or intellect.
This name
HewettA diminutive form meaning little Hugh or son of Hugh.
also spelled
Hewet
Hewitt
Hewit
Related arms
Hewet de Headlyvariant spelling
Hewittvariant spelling
Hewitvariant spelling
Huetvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881, RG 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
