A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hill family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0553 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A blue background with a silver hill and a gold sun rising behind it on the left as you look at it. A gold strip along the top carries a black dragon's head between two red spiked crowns.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une colline d'arg. et un soleil levant d'or derrière la colline à dextre; au chef d'or, ch. d'une tête de dragon de sa., entre deux couronnes à l'antique de gu. C.: un bras arm., tenant un poignard, le tout au nat. D.: ESSE QUAM VIDERI.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Hill Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Hill arms are recorded
The Hill arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Hill arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Hill Family in Britain
PronunciationHIL/hɪl/
The surname Hill is classified as a topographic name. This means it was originally given to people based on the landscape where they lived. In medieval Britain, a person who resided on or near a prominent hill was often identified by their neighbors as someone who lived "at the hill." Over time, this descriptive phrase became a permanent family name. Because hills are common features across the British landscape, the name emerged independently in many different regions rather than originating from a single family line.
By the year 1700, the Hill family was well-established in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and trade due to its proximity to London and the coast. Families living in this region often worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Records from this era show that the name was common among local parish registers, which tracked baptisms, marriages, and burials. These documents provide a clear picture of a family deeply rooted in the local community and contributing to the social fabric of southeastern England for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
What the shield shows
A black background with an ermine chevron, white with small black tail marks, and three silver lions walking, each facing the viewer.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three lions pass. guard. ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1484
Where the Hill Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Hill arms are recorded
The Hill arms were recorded in London, c. 1484.
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.
Richard III of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard III of England
1483–1485
Reigning in Britain when the Hill 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 Hill Family in England
PronunciationHIL/hɪl/
The surname Hill is a classic example of a topographic name. In medieval England, people often received surnames based on the physical features of the land where they lived. Families who resided on or near a prominent hill, ridge, or mound were frequently identified by their neighbors as living "at the Hill." Over time, this descriptive label became a permanent family name passed down through generations. Because hills are common features across the English landscape, the name emerged independently in many different regions rather than originating from a single ancestor.
By the late 15th century, the Hill family was firmly established in the county of Kent. Records from 1484 show members of the family living and working within this region. During this period, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and trade, which allowed families like the Hills to settle into stable communities. As the name became more common, it spread from rural villages into growing towns. The family members were typically yeomen or tradespeople who contributed to the local economy and helped shape the social structure of their parishes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
What the shield shows
A blue background with a chevron between three gold lilies, and a gold square in the top corner.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a chev. betw. three fleurs-de-lis or, a canton of the last”
CorkGraig · Cork, c. 1560
Where the Hill Arms Were Recorded
Cork
Map of Ireland showing where the Hill arms are recorded
The Hill arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1560.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Hill 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 Cork.
Origin & History of the Hill Family in Ireland
PronunciationHIL/hɪl/
The surname Hill is a topographical name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived on or near a prominent hill. While the name is common throughout England, it became firmly established in Ireland during the sixteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Hill family were present in Londonderry by 1560. This arrival was part of a broader movement of settlers from Britain to the northern parts of Ireland during the Tudor period.
As the family settled in Londonderry, they became deeply involved in the local administration and the development of the region. Over the following decades, the Hills grew in influence and acquired significant land holdings. Their presence in the north of Ireland helped shape the social and political landscape of the province of Ulster. By establishing deep roots in the area, the family transitioned from new arrivals to a permanent fixture of the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hyll
Old English word referring to a natural elevation of land.
This name
HillA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Hille
Hills
Hylle
Hyl
Related arms
Dicksonsame arms
Dougalsame arms
Murraysame arms
Aylewayrecorded with Hill, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers for the Diocese of Canterbury, Series DRb/PR
Kent History and Library Centre, Kent Parish Registers and Bishops' Transcripts, Series P/200
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dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
