Map of England showing where the Hitte arms are recorded
The Hitte arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Hitte 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Hitte Family in England
The family name Hitte has deep roots in the city of Worcester, where members of the family were established as early as 1620. During this period, Worcester was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Hittes often played active roles in the local community. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname used to identify individuals based on their occupation or a specific personality trait common in the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the area, contributing to the development of the city through their work and daily lives. By remaining in the same region for generations, the early Hitte family helped define the local history of Worcester during a time of significant change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hitt
A Middle English nickname derived from a pet form of Richard.
This name
HitteA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person nicknamed Hitt or Richard.
also spelled
Hitte
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Atkin, Malcolm, Worcestershire: A Concise History, 2004
Townshend, Richard, The Diary of Henry Townshend of Elmley Lovett, 1640–1663, 1920
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1620–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
