Map of England showing where the Horse arms are recorded
The Horse 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 Horse 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 Horse Family in England
The surname Horse traces its roots to the occupational and descriptive naming traditions common in medieval England. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked closely with horses, such as a groom or a stable hand, or perhaps for an individual who possessed a spirited or energetic personality. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Horse family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local mercantile or craft industries that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community through their daily labor and civic participation long before the name spread to other regions.
Horse Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
hors
Old English word for a large solid-hoofed herbivorous mammal.
This name
HorseAn occupational name for a person who worked with or cared for horses.
also spelled
Horskey
Horsky
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
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