A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Acres family of England.
Reg. 2572 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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. three trefoils slipped in fesse or, betw. as many escallops ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Acres Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Acres arms are recorded
The Acres arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Acres 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 England.
Origin & History of the Acres Family in England
The surname Acres is a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people based on the land where they lived. In Middle English, the word *aker* referred to a field or a piece of cultivated land, suggesting that the earliest members of the family were likely farmers or landowners who worked the soil. By 1620, historical records confirm that the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, and families living there were often involved in the bustling urban economy or local government. Because the name is rooted in the landscape itself, it reflects a deep connection to the rural traditions of England that persisted even as family members moved into the city to build their lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aker
Old English word for a field or cultivated land.
This name
AcresA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked on a field.
also spelled
Akeres
Aker
Akerre
Related arms
Aker, or Acrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
