A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abbs family of England.
Reg. 8916 · 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 Abbs Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Abbs arms are recorded
The Abbs 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 Abbs 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 Abbs Family in England
The surname Abbs is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify someone as the son or descendant of a person named Abb. The name Abb itself served as a common medieval nickname for individuals named Abraham or sometimes Abbot. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Durham in Northern England. During this period, the region was heavily influenced by the coal mining industry and the strong presence of the Church of England, which shaped the daily lives of local families. As the family grew, they became part of the local community fabric, often appearing in parish registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social and religious transition, helping to root the Abbs name firmly within the history of the North East of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbas
An Aramaic or Hebrew term meaning father or head of family.
This name
AbbsA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Abb, a medieval diminutive of Abbot.
also spelled
Abbes
Abes
Abbsse
Related arms
Walmesleyrecorded with Abbs, 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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
