A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Houde family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8111 · 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 Houde arms are recorded
The Houde 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 Houde 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 Houde Family in England
The family name Houde has roots that trace back to northern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families living there often participated in the local craft guilds or the growing mercantile economy. The name itself is thought to be of Old French or Germanic origin, likely brought to England through various waves of migration and linguistic shifts over several centuries. By the early seventeenth century, the Houde family had established a presence in the region, living through a time of significant social change in England. Their life in York suggests they were part of the urban middle class, navigating the complexities of a city that served as a major administrative hub for the north. As they settled into the local community, they contributed to the diverse cultural fabric of the city before some branches of the family eventually moved toward other parts of the British Isles and beyond.
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 Houde arms are recorded
The Houde 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 Houde 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 Houde Family in Scotland
The history of the Houde family in Scotland is deeply tied to the coastal town of Berwick, where records confirm their presence by 1748. During the mid-eighteenth century, Berwick served as a bustling hub for trade and maritime activity, placing the family at the center of a rapidly changing Scottish economy. While the name itself carries roots that suggest a connection to older European traditions, its appearance in Berwick highlights the family's role as part of a mobile population seeking new opportunities in northern Britain. Life in this border region required resilience, as families often navigated the complexities of living between two nations during a time of significant political and social transition. By establishing themselves in this area, the early Houde settlers became part of the local fabric, contributing to the community as laborers, merchants, or tradespeople who helped sustain the town’s growth throughout the century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hold
Old English term referring to a loyal or faithful person.
This name
HoudeA locational or occupational surname derived from a loyal retainer or steward.
also spelled
Hode
Houde
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 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.
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
