A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amyas family of England.
Reg. 3599 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a fesse az. in chief a demi lion ramp. gu”
CambridgeshireCambridgeshire, c. 1620
Where the Amyas Arms Were Recorded
Cambridgeshire
Map of England showing where the Amyas arms are recorded
The Amyas arms were recorded in Cambridgeshire, c. 1620.
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 Amyas 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 Cambridgeshire.
Origin & History of the Amyas Family in England
The family name Amyas has deep roots in the English landscape, with its origins tracing back to the medieval period as a locative surname derived from the French city of Amiens. Early records show that individuals bearing this name were well-established in the fenlands of Cambridgeshire by the early seventeenth century. During this era, the family lived in a region defined by its unique geography and agricultural traditions, which likely shaped their daily lives and local standing. By 1620, the Amyas name was already a fixture in local parish registers, suggesting that the family had been settled in the area for generations. These early ancestors were part of the rural fabric of East Anglia, contributing to the growth and development of their local communities long before the name spread further across the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amare
A Latin verb meaning to love.
This name
AmyasDerived from the Old French name Amis, signifying a beloved friend or loved one.
also spelled
Amias
Amys
Amy
Related arms
Amiasvariant spelling
Amyvariant spelling
Amysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cambridgeshire Archives, Parish Register Transcripts for the Diocese of Ely, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
