Map of France showing where the Hyde arms are recorded
The Hyde arms were recorded in France, c. 1660.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hyde arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Hyde Family in France
The history of the Hyde family in France is deeply connected to the rugged landscape and maritime culture of the Brittany region. By the year 1660, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in this area, likely drawn by the active trade routes and the unique social structure of the province. The name itself reflects a linguistic evolution, as families moving between the British Isles and the French coast often adapted their surnames to fit local phonetic patterns. During the seventeenth century, Brittany served as a vital crossroads for travelers, merchants, and religious refugees, providing a stable environment for the family to integrate into local community life. Their settlement in this region suggests a history of resilience and adaptation, as they navigated the complexities of life in a province that maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of the French kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
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)
“Ar. three lozenges sa”
LancasterDenton · Lancaster, c. 1567
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Map of England showing where the Hyde arms are recorded
The Hyde arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1567.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 France when the Hyde 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Hyde Family in England
The surname Hyde is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people by the land where they lived. In Old English, a hide was a specific measurement of land, typically representing the amount of acreage required to support a single household or family. By the time the name became established in records, it referred to someone who lived on or managed such a plot. While the name appears in various parts of England, historical documents confirm that members of the Hyde family were well-established in Lancaster by 1567. During this period, families often took their names from the geography of their local parishes, and the Hydes were likely connected to the agricultural landscape of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, moving from simple landholders to figures involved in the civic and legal life of their communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. two chevronels ar. the upper one charged with an erm. spot”
CorkCastle Hyde · Cork, c. 1809
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Map of Ireland showing where the Hyde arms are recorded
The Hyde arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1809.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in France when the Hyde arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Hyde Family in Ireland
The name Hyde has a long history in Ireland, particularly within County Cork, where the family established deep roots by the early nineteenth century. While the name is often associated with English origins, it became well-integrated into the social and political fabric of southern Ireland over several generations. Members of the Hyde family in Cork were frequently involved in local land management and public affairs, which helped them become prominent figures in their communities by 1809. The family name reflects a history of migration and settlement, as those who carried it adapted to the unique cultural landscape of the Irish countryside. By settling in areas like Cork, the family contributed to the local economy and participated in the evolving traditions of the region. Their presence in the early 1800s serves as a clear marker of how the family had already secured a stable and respected position in Irish society long before the modern era.
Hyde Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
hid
an old English unit of land measurement sufficient to support one family
This name
Hydea topographic surname for someone who lived on or owned a hide of land
also spelled
Hide
Huyde
Related arms
Hide d'Alburyvariant spelling
Hidevariant spelling
Huyde, or Hydevariant spelling
Andrewsrecorded with Hyde, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Gautier, Hervé. Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons. 1990
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur. Histoire de Bretagne. 1905
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
ermineDignity and rank
