Map of England showing where the Houldsworth arms are recorded
The Houldsworth arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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 Houldsworth 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Houldsworth Family in England
The surname Houldsworth originates from the northern regions of England and is classified as a locational name. It likely refers to a specific place or a "worth," which was an old term for an enclosed homestead or farmstead, belonging to someone named Hold or a similar variation. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Houldsworth family were well-established in Nottingham. During this period, families with this name were often involved in the growing trade and craft industries that defined the town’s economy. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of Nottinghamshire, contributing to the development of the region through their roles in local commerce and parish life. The name has remained a distinct marker of this northern English heritage for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Holdsworth
A homestead or enclosure belonging to a person named Hold.
This name
HouldsworthDerived from a locational surname referring to a specific farmstead or wooded enclosure in Yorkshire.
also spelled
Holdsworth
Holdisworth
Houldisworth
Related arms
Pitcairnsame arms
Sligosame arms
Holdsworthvariant spelling
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
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary’s Parish Registers, 1566–1812
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.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
foxWit and wisdom in defence
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
foxWit and wisdom in defence
