Map of Scotland showing where the Hey arms are recorded
The Hey arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Hey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Hey Family in Scotland
The history of the Hey family in Scotland is deeply rooted in the urban development of Edinburgh during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city, a time when Edinburgh was a crowded and bustling center of Scottish life. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a fenced enclosure or a piece of enclosed land, which was a common way for people to identify their neighbors in medieval times. As the family settled into the capital, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that helped shape the city’s economy. Living in the narrow, high-rise tenements of the Old Town, early Hey family members would have navigated a society defined by strict social hierarchies and the shifting political landscape of the Restoration era. Their presence in the capital suggests they were well-integrated into the local community, contributing to the daily trade and civic activities that defined life in Scotland’s most important city.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. three inescutcheons gu. within a bordure counter-compony of the last and first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1672
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Map of England showing where the Hey arms are recorded
The Hey arms were recorded in London, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Hey 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 Hey Family in England
The surname Hey is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people who lived near a specific type of landscape feature. In Middle English, the word "hey" or "hay" referred to an enclosed area, such as a fenced field, a hedge, or a protected woodland clearing. Families adopted this name to distinguish themselves based on their proximity to these distinct enclosures. By the time the name appears in London records during the year 1672, it had already been established across various English counties for several generations. During the seventeenth century, London acted as a central hub for trade and migration, drawing families from rural areas into the growing city. As these individuals moved into urban centers, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestral connection to the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. three inescutcheons gu”
WexfordTacumshane · Wexford, c. 1618
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Map of Ireland showing where the Hey arms are recorded
The Hey arms were recorded in Wexford, c. 1618.
Wexford was the corner of Ireland closest to Wales, settled early by Norman families. They held their land under arms and kept it for generations, which is why so many Wexford names carry recorded shields.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Hey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wexford.
Origin & History of the Hey Family in Ireland
The history of the Hey family in Ireland is deeply rooted in the southeastern region of the country, specifically within County Wexford. By the year 1618, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, likely as part of the broader patterns of migration and land settlement that defined the early seventeenth century. During this period, Wexford served as a significant hub for families arriving from Britain, many of whom integrated into the local agricultural and social landscape. The name itself is thought to have origins tied to geographical features, such as a high place or an enclosed field, which suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who identified their homes by the surrounding terrain. As these families settled into the Irish countryside, they became part of the complex social fabric of the province of Leinster, contributing to the local community through trade and land management over several generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heghe
Middle English term meaning high or tall.
This name
HeyA topographic name for someone who lived on high ground or a hill.
also spelled
Haie
Hey
Hayse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissary Court, 1663
National Records of Scotland, Register of Marriages, Edinburgh, 1663
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
