Map of England showing where the Hilliard arms are recorded
The Hilliard arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Hilliard 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Hilliard Family in England
The surname Hilliard has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic county of Durham. Etymologists generally trace the name to the Old English words for a hill and a yard or enclosure, suggesting that the earliest members of the family were likely farmers or landowners who lived near a prominent hillside. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Hilliard family was well-established in Durham, where they lived as part of the local community during the early seventeenth century. During this era, families often took their names from the specific landscapes they occupied, which helped neighbors identify them by their home or trade. As the centuries passed, the family spread from these northern settlements into other parts of Britain, maintaining their connection to the region through local parish registers and legal documents that tracked their births, marriages, and property holdings.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three mullets or”
KerryCaherslee · Kerry, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Hilliard arms are recorded
The Hilliard 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 Hilliard 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 Hilliard Family in Ireland
The Hilliard family name has a distinct history in Ireland, particularly within County Kerry where members were firmly established by 1645. While the name itself has roots in medieval England, the Irish branch became deeply integrated into the social and economic landscape of the southwest. Many families with this name arrived during the period of plantation and land settlement in the seventeenth century. By the mid-1600s, Hilliard individuals were recorded as landowners and local figures in Kerry, often involved in the administration of estates and regional governance. Their presence during this turbulent era suggests they were part of the new administrative class that emerged as land ownership patterns shifted across the province of Munster. Over time, these families became permanent fixtures in the local community, blending their ancestral background with the unique cultural environment of the Kerry region.
Hilliard Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hildegard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning battle and enclosure or protection.
This name
HilliardRefers to someone who lived near a protected enclosure or a hill garden.
also spelled
Hildyard
Hillyard
Hilyard
Related arms
Hildyardvariant spelling
Hillyardvariant spelling
Churchillrecorded with Hilliard, same area
Spencer-Churchillrecorded with Hilliard, 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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
