A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ambler family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9650 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Sa. on a fesse or, betw. three pheons ar. a lion pass. guard. gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ambler Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ambler arms are recorded
The Ambler 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 Ambler 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 Ambler Family in England
The surname Ambler is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, specifically referring to a person who trained or rode ambling horses. These horses were prized for their smooth, steady gait, which made them comfortable for long-distance travel on the rough roads of the time. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, a major northern hub where such skilled tradesmen were essential for transport and commerce. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Ambler family were active participants in the civic and social life of this historic city. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the Yorkshire region, reflecting the practical and professional nature of their early ancestors who served the needs of a growing society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Sa. a cross ermine in the dexter quarter a leopard's face ar”
LincolnKirton-in-Holland · Lincoln, c. 1815
Where the Ambler Arms Were Recorded
Map of Netherlands showing where the Ambler arms are recorded
The Ambler arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1815.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Region
Lincoln
Town
Kirton-in-Holland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Ambler Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in England when the Ambler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Ambler Family in Netherlands
The name Ambler is traditionally associated with English origins, specifically linked to the occupational title of a person who trained horses to move with a smooth, rhythmic gait known as an amble. While the family established a notable presence in Lincoln by 1815, historical records suggest that individuals bearing similar occupational surnames often migrated across the North Sea due to the long-standing trade connections between England and the Low Countries. In the Netherlands, the movement of workers and merchants between coastal towns meant that names describing specific skills or roles were frequently adapted or recorded in local registers. Although the Ambler family became firmly rooted in the English Midlands, their early history reflects the broader patterns of mobility that defined life in Northern Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This period saw many families navigating shifting borders and economic opportunities, which allowed names to persist and evolve as they moved between different cultural and linguistic landscapes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ambulator
Latin term meaning one who walks or travels.
This name
AmblerAn occupational surname for a messenger, itinerant peddler, or someone who traveled frequently.
also spelled
Amblar
Related arms
Amlervariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
