Map of England showing where the Hitch arms are recorded
The Hitch arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1566.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hitch 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Hitch Family in England
The surname Hitch is believed to have originated in England as a shortened form of the name Richard. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to create nicknames by taking the first syllable of a name and adding a suffix. By the year 1566, records confirm that members of the Hitch family were well-established in Oxford. At this time, Oxford was a major center for trade and scholarship, suggesting that early family members were likely involved in the city's growing academic or merchant communities. As the family grew, they spread from these regional roots into other parts of the country, carrying the name forward through generations of laborers, tradespeople, and local citizens.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Richard
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning brave and hardy power.
This name
HitchA diminutive form of the name Richard, often used as a pet name.
also spelled
Hytch
Hytche
Related arms
Hickesame arms
Hichevariant 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
Oxfordshire History Centre, Parish Registers of Oxford St. Mary the Virgin, 1566
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
