Map of England showing where the Alsop arms are recorded
The Alsop arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 Alsop 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Alsop Family in England
The Alsop family name originates from the small village of Alsop-en-le-Dale in Derbyshire, England. The name is locative, meaning it was originally taken by individuals who moved away from this specific settlement to identify their place of origin. By the early 17th century, the family had established a significant presence in the nearby town of Derby. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were active in the local community during this period, often participating in the town’s growing trade and civic life. Over time, the family spread from these rural roots into the urban centers of the East Midlands, where they became well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region.
Alsop Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Aelle
Old English personal name meaning elf or noble strength.
This name
AlsopDerived from a place name meaning Aelle's valley or Aelle's hope.
also spelled
Alsoppe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cameron, Kenneth. The Place-Names of Derbyshire. 1959
Derbyshire Record Office. Derby Borough Records, D2375
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
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