Map of England showing where the Hoadley arms are recorded
The Hoadley arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1715.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in England when the Hoadley 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Hoadley Family in England
The surname Hoadley is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a nickname. It is derived from Old English words that describe a clearing or a meadow located on a hill. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Hereford. During this period, the Hoadleys were active participants in the local community, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents that tracked the lives of residents in the West Midlands. While the name was once tied to a specific patch of land in the English countryside, the family eventually spread into urban centers like Hereford, where they became part of the social and economic fabric of the region. This transition from rural origins to city life reflects the broader movement of families across England during the 1700s as they sought new opportunities in growing trade hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hoh and leah
Old English for a spur of land or ridge and a clearing.
This name
HoadleyDerived from a topographical location referring to a clearing situated on a ridge or spur.
also spelled
Hoadley
Hoadlie
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
Herefordshire Archives, Hereford St Peter Parish Registers, 1715
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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