A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hood family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3664 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, erminois three cats-a-mountain pass. guard. in pale az. each charged on the body with an erm. spot or, for TIBBETS; 2nd and 3rd, az. a fret ar. on a chief or, three crescents sa., for HOOD”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hood arms are recorded
The Hood 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 England when the Hood 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 Hood Family in England
The surname Hood is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who frequently wore a hooded cloak or a specific type of head covering. By the early seventeenth century, the name was well-established in northern England, particularly within the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that families bearing this name were active in the region, often working as skilled tradespeople or merchants during a time of significant social change. Because surnames were often passed down through generations based on local reputation or physical traits, the presence of the Hood family in York suggests they were deeply integrated into the urban community. These early ancestors lived through a period of transition in English history, where family names became essential for legal identification in parish registers and tax documents. Their survival and growth in a major hub like York highlight how a simple descriptive name evolved into a permanent family identity that persisted across centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly sa. and ar. a bend or, on a chief of the second a lion's head erased betw. two cocks gu”
BerwickStoneridge · Berwick, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Hood arms are recorded
The Hood arms were recorded in Berwick, c. 1748.
Berwickshire was Scottish border country, raided and fought over for three centuries. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 England when the Hood 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 Berwick.
Origin & History of the Hood Family in Scotland
The surname Hood has deep roots in the border regions of Scotland and Northern England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who wore a distinctive hooded cloak or garment. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. This location was a vital hub for trade and movement between the two nations, making it a common settling point for families moving across the border. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Hood family were active participants in this community during a time of significant economic transition. These early ancestors were likely involved in the local maritime or agricultural industries that defined the Berwick area. Their presence in these official documents highlights the family’s integration into the social and civic life of the Scottish borderlands during the eighteenth century.
Hood Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hod
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for hood or shelter.
This name
HoodOriginally a nickname for someone who wore a hooded cloak or a maker of hoods.
also spelled
Hode
Houde
Related arms
Swanrecorded with Hood, same area
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
