Map of England showing where the Hoge arms are recorded
The Hoge arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Hoge 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Hoge Family in England
The family name Hoge has deep roots in the northern English landscape, particularly within the historic county of Durham. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Hoge family were established residents in this region. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a high piece of land or a hill, as the word itself is closely related to the Middle English term for a hog or a mound. Life in Durham during the 1620s was shaped by the rugged terrain and the influence of the local church, which played a central role in documenting the daily lives of families through parish registers. As these early ancestors navigated the social and economic shifts of the era, they helped cement the name within the local community. This period marked a time when surnames were becoming more fixed, allowing the Hoge name to be passed down through generations as a permanent identifier of their northern heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a pheon betw. three boars' heads erased az. langued gu. armed or”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1761
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Map of Scotland showing where the Hoge arms are recorded
The Hoge arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1761.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Hoge 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Hoge Family in Scotland
The name Hoge has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct surname during the medieval period. Etymologists often link the name to the Old English word for a ridge or a high piece of land, suggesting that the earliest members of the family were likely farmers or landowners who lived near a prominent hill. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1761 confirm that the Hoge family was well integrated into the urban life of the city during the height of the Scottish Enlightenment. As Edinburgh grew into a center for trade and intellectual exchange, families like the Hoges participated in the professional and social shifts that defined the era. Their transition from rural origins to the bustling streets of the capital reflects the broader movement of Scottish families toward the city centers during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haugr
Old Norse term referring to a hill, mound, or burial barrow.
This name
HogeA topographical surname for someone who lived near a prominent hill or mound.
also spelled
Hogge
Hog
Hoge
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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., 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.
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
