Map of England showing where the Higson arms are recorded
The Higson 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 Higson 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 Higson Family in England
The surname Higson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Hick. The name Hick was a common medieval nickname for Richard. By the early seventeenth century, the Higson family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Higsons were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled crafts that kept the city running. Because records from 1620 show the family living in this historic northern hub, it is likely that they were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic life of the region during the Stuart era. Over time, the name evolved from these early roots to become a distinct family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hick
A medieval diminutive form of the Germanic name Richard.
This name
HigsonPatronymic surname meaning son of Richard, derived from the nickname Hick.
also spelled
Hygson
Higgeson
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers and local records for the City of York, 1600–1650
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boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
