Map of England showing where the Hindley arms are recorded
The Hindley arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Hindley 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Hindley Family in England
The surname Hindley is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "hind," referring to a female deer, and "leah," which means a clearing or a meadow in a forest. This suggests that the earliest members of the family lived near a woodland clearing where deer were commonly found. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Hindley family was well-established in the county of Lancashire, England. During this period, families often took their names from the small hamlets or estates where they resided, and the Hindley name became tied to the geography of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric in Lancaster, contributing to the agricultural and community life of the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hinde and leah
Old English terms for a female deer and a forest clearing.
This name
HindleyA topographical surname referring to a woodland clearing frequented by female deer.
also spelled
Hyndley
Hyndly
Hindly
Related arms
Hyndleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
