Map of England showing where the Hiester arms are recorded
The Hiester 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 Hiester 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 Hiester Family in England
The Hiester family name originates from German-speaking regions, where it likely functioned as a descriptive surname linked to local geography or specific occupations. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the family were established in York, England, by 1620. This suggests that the family was part of a broader pattern of migration where individuals moved across European borders for trade or religious reasons. Over the following century, many people carrying the Hiester name eventually transitioned from these early English and German roots to settle in the American colonies, particularly in Pennsylvania. Their presence in historical documents from this era highlights their role as early settlers who helped shape the development of local communities through farming and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heister
Derived from the Middle High German word for a young beech tree.
This name
HiesterAn occupational or topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a beech grove.
also spelled
Hestor
Hestir
Hestare
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Strassburger, Ralph Beaver. Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808. 1934
York County Archives. Quarter Sessions Records, 1620–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
