Map of England showing where the Horsfall arms are recorded
The Horsfall arms were recorded in York, c. 1586.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Horsfall 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 York.
Origin & History of the Horsfall Family in England
The surname Horsfall is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from Old English words that describe a valley or a hollow where horses were kept or grazed. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records from 1586. During this era, families with this name were often connected to the rugged landscape of the West Riding of Yorkshire, where the terrain provided natural enclosures for livestock. As the family grew, they moved from these rural settings into the growing urban centers of Northern England. This transition allowed them to participate in the expanding trade and civic life of cities like York, marking the beginning of their long history in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hors and fall
Old English for horse and a steep valley or slope.
This name
HorsfallA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep valley frequented by horses.
also spelled
Horsfell
Horsefall
Harsfall
Related arms
Horsefallvariant spelling
Parryrecorded with Horsfall, same area
Wheelerrecorded with Horsfall, 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1586
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horseReadiness to serve king and country
horseReadiness to serve king and country
