A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abbes family of England.
Reg. 5950 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a bend engr. or, betw. six lions ramp. ar”
DurhamCleadon · Durham, c. 1620
Where the Abbes Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Abbes arms are recorded
The Abbes arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Abbes 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Abbes Family in England
The family name Abbes has deep roots in the historic county of Durham, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle English word for an abbot, which suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been connected to the staff or the lands of a local monastery. During the seventeenth century, Durham was a region defined by its strong ties to the church and its coal mining industry. Families living in this area often held positions as tenant farmers or tradespeople who supported the local ecclesiastical estates. By settling in Durham, the Abbes family became part of a community shaped by centuries of northern English tradition and the unique legal status of the Durham Prince-Bishops. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local parish registers, reflecting a long history of residence in this distinctive part of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbas
An Aramaic and Arabic term meaning father or stern.
This name
AbbesAn occupational surname for someone who worked for or lived near an abbot.
also spelled
Abbes
Abes
Abbsse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Surtees, Robert, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, 1816
Durham County Record Office, Durham Diocesan Records: Bishopric Estates and Parish Registers, 1620–1700
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
