Map of England showing where the Hurlbert arms are recorded
The Hurlbert 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 Hurlbert 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 Hurlbert Family in England
The Hurlbert name finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely originated as a descriptive surname based on a person's occupation or residence. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family were firmly established in the historic city of York, a major center of trade and administration at the time. Living in such a prominent location suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, eventually participating in the great waves of migration that saw many English families seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. This transition from the ancient streets of York to the frontier of the New World reflects the broader historical movement of families who carried their traditions and surnames into the developing colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hulbert
Derived from the Germanic elements for bright and famous or noble.
This name
HurlbertA locational or patronymic surname signifying a bright or brilliant person of noble character.
also spelled
Hurlbert
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
The National Archives, Yorkshire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
