Map of England showing where the Hilyer arms are recorded
The Hilyer 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 Hilyer 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 Hilyer Family in England
The family name Hilyer traces its roots to the historic city of York, where members of the family were established by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be an occupational surname, likely derived from the Middle English word "helyer," which referred to a person who worked as a roof tiler or a slater. During the 1600s, York was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and individuals with this name were likely integrated into the local building guilds that maintained the city’s ancient stone structures. As these early Hilyers worked on the roofs of homes and cathedrals, their trade became their identity, eventually evolving into a permanent family name passed down through generations. This connection to the building trades suggests that the family played a practical role in the physical development and maintenance of the city during a period of significant growth in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hild
An Old English and Germanic element meaning battle or strife.
This name
HilyerA topographical or occupational name referring to a dweller near a hill or a hill-side pasture.
also spelled
Hillyer
Hilyer
Hillyar
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
The National Archives, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
