Map of England showing where the Polhill arms are recorded
The Polhill arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1420.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic 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.
Henry V of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry V of England
1413–1422
Reigning in England when the Polhill 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Polhill Family in England
The Polhill family name is deeply rooted in the landscape of southeastern England, with historical records confirming their presence in the county of Sussex by the year 1420. The name is topographical in origin, meaning it was likely derived from a specific place name or a description of the land where the family first settled. Linguists suggest the name evolved from Old English terms describing a hill or a pool near a hill. During the fifteenth century, the family established themselves as members of the local gentry, often serving as landowners and community leaders in the Weald region of Kent and Sussex. Their early history is closely tied to the development of local agriculture and the management of rural estates. As they grew in influence, members of the family became notable figures in regional administration, helping to shape the social and economic character of the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pull-hill
A hill associated with a pool or a stream.
This name
PolhillA topographical name referring to someone who lived near a hill by a pool.
also spelled
Polhyll
Polhyl
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/19/336 (Records concerning the Polhill family in Kent and Sussex)
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
