Map of England showing where the Hicham arms are recorded
The Hicham 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 Hicham 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 Hicham Family in England
The name Hicham traces its roots to the northern regions of England, where the family established a notable presence in the city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. Historical records from this period suggest that the Hicham family was integrated into the local community, likely participating in the merchant guilds or professional trades that defined the city’s economy. As the family became more established, they contributed to the social fabric of Yorkshire, navigating the shifting political and religious landscapes of the Stuart era. Their presence in the city archives indicates a family that valued record-keeping and civic participation, helping them maintain their identity through generations of growth in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hisham
Derived from the Arabic verb hashama meaning to crush or break.
This name
HichamA name of Arabic origin meaning generous or one who crushes enemies.
also spelled
Hycham
Hychame
Hichum
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
