A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amos family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1791 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de gu. et d'arg.; au chev. d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Amos Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Amos arms are recorded
The Amos arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Amos arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Amos Family in Britain
The surname Amos has deep roots in the British Isles, originating as a patronymic name derived from the biblical given name Amos. In the context of its history in Kent, the family name became well-established by the early 18th century, reflecting the common practice of using personal names to identify family lines in rural parishes. During this period, families named Amos were often involved in the agricultural life of the Kentish countryside, contributing to the local economy and community structure. As the name spread through the region, it became synonymous with the working families who lived and farmed in the fertile lands of southeastern England. By the 1700s, these individuals were documented in local parish registers, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths in an era before widespread census records. This steady presence in Kent highlights how a simple family name could anchor a lineage within a specific geographic area for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
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)
“Potent counterpotent gu. and ar. a chev. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Amos Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Amos arms are recorded
The Amos 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 Britain when the Amos 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 Amos Family in England
The surname Amos has deep roots in England, where it originated as a patronymic name derived from the biblical given name Amos. During the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt names based on the first name of a father or ancestor, eventually turning these into hereditary surnames passed down through generations. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Amos family were living and working within this historic urban center, which served as a major hub for trade and administration in the north of England. As these families grew, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of York while carrying their name forward as a distinct marker of their lineage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amos
Derived from the Hebrew verb meaning to carry or to bear.
This name
AmosA biblical name signifying one who is burdened or carried by God.
also spelled
Amoss
Amose
Ames
Amest
Amys
Related arms
Amesvariant spelling
Amestvariant spelling
Amysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1750
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
