Map of England showing where the Hext arms are recorded
The Hext arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Hext 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Hext Family in England
The Hext family name has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that the family held significant social standing in the region during this period, often serving as local landowners and active participants in parish life. The name itself is believed to be a variation of the Middle English word "hekst," which served as a superlative meaning highest or tallest. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived near a prominent hilltop or were recognized for their towering stature within their community. By 1620, the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of southwestern England, leaving behind a legacy tied to the distinct geography and traditions of the Cornish countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
heah
Old English term meaning high or tall.
This name
HextA topographical surname for someone who lived on or near a high hill.
also spelled
Hekst
Hekste
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Cornwall, 1948
Polsue, Joseph, A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall, 1867
The National Archives, Cornwall Quarter Sessions Records, QS/1/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
axeThe execution of military duty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
axeThe execution of military duty
