Map of England showing where the Ancrum arms are recorded
The Ancrum arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Ancrum 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Ancrum Family in England
The family name Ancrum is rooted in the geography of the Scottish Borders, specifically originating from the village of Ancrum in Roxburghshire. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic and Cumbric words for a bend in the river, reflecting the settlement's position along the Ale Water. While the name is distinctly Scottish in its origin, historical records confirm that members of the family had migrated south by the early 17th century. By 1620, individuals bearing the name were well-established in the county of Somerset in England. This movement was likely driven by the broader patterns of migration during the period, as families sought new opportunities in trade and agriculture across the British Isles. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local records of Somerset, marking a transition from its northern origins to a new life in the west of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alncromb
A bend in the river Aln
This name
AncrumDerived from a Scottish place name referring to a settlement situated at a bend in the river.
also spelled
Ancramme
Ankram
Ancrome
Ankrome
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Somerset Heritage Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/SR
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
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
