Map of England showing where the Hickie arms are recorded
The Hickie arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Hickie 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Hickie Family in England
The family name Hickie is a variation of the name Hick, which originated as a medieval nickname for Richard. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to shorten popular names, and Hick became a frequent way to refer to someone named Richard. By the time the family was firmly established in Northampton in 1620, the name had evolved to include the suffix that gives it its distinct sound. Living in a central English town like Northampton suggests that the early Hickie family members were likely involved in the local trade and craft industries that defined the region during the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the English Midlands, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the name spread further across the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a lion pass. or, on a chief ar. a saltire engr. az”
KerryKilelton · Kerry, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Hickie arms are recorded
The Hickie arms were recorded in Kerry, c. 1645.
Kerry was mountain and coast country in the far south-west of Ireland. Its land was poor and held by a few families for a very long time, and long unbroken holding fills a register.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Hickie 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 Kerry.
Origin & History of the Hickie Family in Ireland
The family name Hickie originates from the Gaelic Irish name Ó hIcidhe, which translates to descendant of the healer or physician. This suggests that the early members of the family held a respected professional status within their community as traditional medical practitioners. By the year 1645, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in County Kerry. During this period, the family lived through a time of great political upheaval in Ireland, which often forced families to adapt to changing land ownership and social structures. Despite these challenges, the Hickie name remained deeply rooted in the landscape of the southwest, maintaining a connection to their ancestral identity as a family of scholars and healers who served the local population for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Icc
An Old English personal name derived from the Germanic word for edge.
This name
HickieA diminutive form meaning son of the one with the sharp or keen edge.
also spelled
Hickey
Hickye
Hickay
Related arms
Hickeyvariant spelling
O'Hickeyvariant spelling
Bisphamrecorded with Hickie, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Northamptonshire Archives, Parish Registers of Northampton St Sepulchre, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
