Map of England showing where the Hibbs arms are recorded
The Hibbs arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Hibbs 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Hibbs Family in England
The surname Hibbs is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Hibb. The name Hibb itself is a medieval nickname or short form derived from the name Hibbert or Hubert, which carries the Germanic meaning of bright mind or shining intellect. By the year 1620, families bearing the Hibbs name were well-established in the county of Kent, England. During this period, Kent served as a vital hub for trade and agriculture, placing these early family members at the heart of English social and economic life. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the region, eventually contributing to the migration patterns that would see the name spread far beyond the borders of Kent in the centuries that followed.
Hibbs Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hibbert
Derived from the Germanic elements for bright and battle.
This name
HibbsA patronymic surname meaning son of Hibbert or son of Hubert.
also spelled
Hibbes
Related arms
Gardnerrecorded with Hibbs, same area
Taylorrecorded with Hibbs, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Probate Records, 1620
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
