A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hillman family of England.
Reg. 0810 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. on a bend cotised or, three roses of the field, seeded of the second, barbed vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hillman Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hillman arms are recorded
The Hillman 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 Hillman 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 Hillman Family in England
The surname Hillman is a topographical name that originated in England to describe someone who lived on or near a prominent hill. During the medieval period, people were often identified by their surroundings, and those who dwelled on higher ground became known as hill men. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Hillman family were well established in the city of York. This location was a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local economy or urban life of the region. As the family grew, they moved through various social and professional circles, helping to cement the name as a fixture of the English landscape for centuries to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hyll
Old English word for a natural elevation of land or mound.
This name
HillmanA person who lived on or near a hill, or a dweller on a hillside.
also spelled
Hylman
Hilleman
Hillmon
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
