A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hillyard family of England.
Reg. 0327 · English, G–I
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”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hillyard Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hillyard arms are recorded
The Hillyard 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 Hillyard 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 Hillyard Family in England
The surname Hillyard is a topographical name that likely originated from people who lived near a hill or a protected enclosure. In Middle English, the name evolved from terms describing someone who dwelled by a fenced piece of land or a garden. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hillyard family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern English hub. During this period, York was a center for trade and religious activity, and families like the Hillyards often held roles as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Their presence in the city during this time suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the local culture and administration of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hildegard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning battle and enclosure or protection.
This name
HillyardAn occupational name for a person who lived near or worked on a hill enclosure.
also spelled
Hilliard
Hildyard
Related arms
Hildyardvariant spelling
Hilliardvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
