A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amhurst family of England.
Reg. 6741 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 tilting spears two and one erect or, points ar”
KentEast Farleigh · Kent, c. 1607
Where the Amhurst Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Amhurst arms are recorded
The Amhurst arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1607.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Amhurst 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Amhurst Family in England
The family name Amhurst has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the year 1607. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old English words for a homestead or enclosure situated near a wooded area. During the seventeenth century, the Amhurst family became prominent landowners in the region, particularly around the village of Pembury. They were deeply integrated into the local social and political life of Kent, often serving as stewards or holding positions of local authority. Their presence in the county was marked by the acquisition of significant estates, which allowed the family to maintain a stable influence in the area for several generations. By settling in the fertile landscape of Kent, the early Amhursts established a legacy tied to the agricultural and rural development of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eam-hyrst
Old English for a wooded hill belonging to a person named Eama.
This name
AmhurstA topographic name denoting someone who lived near a wooded hill or a specific forested ridge.
also spelled
Amherste
Amhurst
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hasted, Edward. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. 1797
Kent History and Library Centre. Records of the Amhurst Family of Pembury. U1565
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
