Map of England showing where the Hitt arms are recorded
The Hitt 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 Hitt 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 Hitt Family in England
The surname Hitt is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name or a shortened form of longer given names. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hitt family were living in this region during a time of significant social and religious change in England. As residents of a major northern trade hub, these early ancestors were likely involved in the local economy or the skilled trades that defined York at the time. Over the following decades, the name spread as family members sought new opportunities, eventually leading to their migration across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This movement reflects the broader patterns of English settlers who carried their family identities and traditions into the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Richard
A Germanic name meaning brave or hardy ruler.
This name
HittA patronymic surname derived from the medieval diminutive form of Richard.
also spelled
Hyatt
Hiett
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, P. H. and Wilson, R. M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
