Map of England showing where the Alsup arms are recorded
The Alsup 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 Alsup 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 Alsup Family in England
The surname Alsup is believed to have originated in England as a locational name, likely derived from a specific place or settlement. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Derby by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Alsopp or Allsopp, which was common before spelling became standardized. Families with this name were typically part of the local community in the East Midlands, where they lived as tradespeople or landowners. Over time, as family members moved across the country and eventually to the American colonies, the spelling evolved into the modern version used today. This transition reflects the broader patterns of migration and linguistic change that shaped many English surnames during the seventeenth century.
Alsup Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Alsop
A valley or hollow belonging to a person named Aelle.
This name
AlsupDerived from a place name in Derbyshire meaning Aelle's valley or hollow.
also spelled
Alsoppe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Derbyshire Record Office, Parish Registers of All Saints, Derby, 1620
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