Map of England showing where the Hobbes arms are recorded
The Hobbes arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Hobbes 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Hobbes Family in England
The surname Hobbes originated as a diminutive form of the name Robert, evolving from the nickname Hob. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to shorten popular names to create affectionate or informal versions for daily use. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Wiltshire by 1620, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families with this name were often part of the rising class of landowners and professionals in the English countryside. The name gained significant historical prominence during the seventeenth century, most notably through the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who was born in the neighboring county of Wiltshire. His intellectual contributions helped cement the name in the historical record, even as many other families bearing the same name lived quieter lives as farmers and tradespeople in the local region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Robert
A Germanic name meaning bright fame or shining glory.
This name
HobbesA medieval diminutive form of the name Robert, meaning son of Robert.
also spelled
Hobbs
Hobs
Hobbys
Related arms
Hobbsvariant spelling
Creedrecorded with Hobbes, same area
Popleyrecorded with Hobbes, same area
Rolferecorded with Hobbes, same area
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
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Quarter Sessions Great Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
lionCourage, strength and royalty
