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Origin / History of the Head Name

This surname has two possible sources, both deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century ‘heafod’ or head.  In the first instance, ‘Head’ originated as a nickname for a medieval chief or village leader; one whose counsel was sought in matters pertaining to law, business and decisions of great consequence.  The surname from this source first appears on record in the latter part of the 12th Century.  The second possibility is that the name is topographical, denoting residence at the head of a stream or valley.  The Olde English ‘heaford’ was used in various transferred senses, such as ‘headland, summit, upper end, source of a stream’.  Today the name can be found as Head, Heads and Heed.  

Coat of Arms / Crest
 A Coat of Arms is bestowed upon individuals, not families.  They are not transferable, but may be handed down and derived by family members.

A Coat of Arms granted to the Head family is silver, a chevron ermines between three black unicorns heads couped, the Crest being a unicorn's head couped ermines.

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