A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abbot family of England.
Reg. 2299 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a cross voided betw. four eagles displ. or”
DevonHartland · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Abbot Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Abbot arms are recorded
The Abbot arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Abbot 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Abbot Family in England
The surname Abbot originates from the Old English word *abbod*, which was a title given to the head of a monastery. During the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a nickname for someone who acted in a bossy or formal manner, or it was given to people who worked on land owned by an abbey. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon in southwest England. Records show that members of the Abbot family were living in this region by 1620, likely working as farmers or tradespeople in the rural communities near the coast. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Devon, contributing to the agricultural and economic life of the area for many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbas
Aramaic term for father or religious leader.
This name
AbbotAn occupational surname for someone who worked for or resembled an abbot.
also spelled
Abot
Abbott
Abbat
Abbet
Related arms
Velleyrecorded with Abbot, same area
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Register Transcripts for Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
