Map of Scotland showing where the Hodge arms are recorded
The Hodge arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1748.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Hodge arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Durham.
Origin & History of the Hodge Family in Scotland
The surname Hodge originated as a medieval nickname derived from a pet form of the name Roger. While the name became widespread across the British Isles, its presence in Scotland is deeply tied to the movement of people across the Anglo-Scottish border. By the time members of the family were documented in Durham in 1748, the name had already been established in the Scottish Lowlands for several generations. Many families bearing this name were part of the hardworking agricultural and merchant classes who moved between northern England and the Scottish Borders to find work or land. Because the name was based on a common nickname, it appeared independently in various regions, reflecting the shared linguistic roots of the people living in the borderlands. This history illustrates how a simple personal name evolved into a permanent family identifier as families settled into specific communities and established their roots over time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a chev. gu. surmounted by a pale sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hodge arms are recorded
The Hodge 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 Scotland when the Hodge 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 Hodge Family in England
The surname Hodge originated in medieval England as a common nickname for the name Roger. During the Middle Ages, it was standard practice to replace the initial letter of a name with a different consonant to create a familiar or affectionate version. By the time the family appeared in official records in York in 1620, the name had already been established across various northern English counties for several generations. Families carrying this name were often part of the growing merchant and artisan classes in urban centers like York. Because the name was derived from a popular first name, it emerged independently in different regions rather than originating from a single ancestor. This meant that early members of the Hodge family were likely integrated into the local economic life of their communities as tradespeople or farmers long before they were formally documented in city parish registers.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three chevronels az. in chief three inescutcheons gu”
DublinDublin, c. 1605
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Map of Ireland showing where the Hodge arms are recorded
The Hodge arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1605.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Hodge arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Hodge Family in Ireland
The surname Hodge arrived in Ireland as part of the broader movement of settlers from Britain during the early seventeenth century. By 1605, records confirm that members of the Hodge family were already established in Dublin, where they integrated into the growing urban population of the city. The name itself originated as a nickname for Roger, a common practice in medieval naming traditions where names were shortened or altered for daily use. As these early settlers moved into Ireland, they often took up roles in trade, administration, or local governance within the capital. Over time, the family name became part of the diverse social fabric of Dublin, reflecting the migration patterns that shaped the city during the early modern period.
Hodge Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Roger
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning fame and spear.
This name
HodgeA medieval diminutive form of Roger, often used as a nickname for a peasant or rustic.
also spelled
Hodgson
Hodgetts
Related arms
Hodgsonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives (UK), Durham Bishopric Estates Records, reference number D/CC
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
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
