Map of England showing where the Hilles arms are recorded
The Hilles arms were recorded in England, c. 1568.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hilles 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 Hilles Family in England
The surname Hilles is a topographical name that likely originated from families living near a prominent hill or a ridge of high ground. By the late sixteenth century, the family was well established in the historic city of York, where records confirm their presence by 1568. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families with this name were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the name evolved, it became closely tied to the geography of northern England, reflecting a time when surnames were frequently adopted based on the specific landscape features of a person's home. The survival of these early records in York provides a clear link to the family’s long-standing roots in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hild
An Old English and Germanic element meaning battle or strife.
This name
HillesA topographical name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Hills
Hyllys
Related arms
Hillasvariant spelling
Hillisvariant spelling
Hillsvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York House Books (B series), 1568
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
