Map of England showing where the Hibbard arms are recorded
The Hibbard arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Hibbard 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 Hibbard Family in England
The surname Hibbard is rooted in ancient Germanic and Old English naming traditions, likely evolving from the personal name Hildebert, which combines words meaning battle and bright. By the time the family established a presence in York during the early 17th century, the name had already undergone several spelling variations as it transitioned from spoken dialects into written parish records. Settlers arriving in the American colonies around 1620 brought these naming customs with them, helping to solidify the name in new regions. During this era, families often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where their surname served as a primary identifier in local tax rolls and land deeds. These early Hibbards were typically tradespeople or farmers who played essential roles in the development of colonial settlements, leaving behind a legacy defined by their steady integration into the social and economic fabric of their new homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugibert
A Germanic compound meaning bright or famous heart and mind.
This name
HibbardDerived from a medieval personal name, it signifies a descendant of the bright-hearted one.
also spelled
Hibbard
Hibbert
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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York Minster Library, Parish Registers of York, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
