A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abes family of England.
Reg. 1238 · 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 Abes Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Abes arms are recorded
The Abes 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 Abes 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 Abes Family in England
The surname Abes is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the county of Durham as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, Durham was a region defined by its strong ties to the coal industry and the influential role of the Church of England. Families like the Abes often lived in small, tight-knit communities where they were likely involved in local agriculture, trade, or the burgeoning mining operations that shaped the local economy. As a name that likely evolved from early naming customs or regional variations of occupational titles, it became a stable fixture within the parish records of the area. By settling in Durham, these early ancestors became part of a resilient population that navigated the complex social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, helping to establish the name as a lasting part of the region’s local heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abel
A Hebrew name meaning breath or vapor.
This name
AbesA patronymic surname derived from the given name Abel, meaning son of Abel.
also spelled
Abbes
Abes
Abbsse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Surtees, Robert, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, 1816
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
