Map of England showing where the Anstey arms are recorded
The Anstey arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Anstey 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Anstey Family in England
The surname Anstey is a locational name that originated from small settlements in England, typically referring to a place where a narrow path or track existed. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Anstey family were firmly established in the county of Sussex. During this period, the family likely lived as tenant farmers or tradespeople who were deeply integrated into the local parish life of the region. Because surnames were often passed down based on the specific village or landscape feature where a family lived, the name serves as a direct link to the rural geography of southern England. As the family grew, they moved through the English countryside, leaving behind traces in local tax records and church registers that document their daily lives and contributions to their communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Anestige
Old English for a steep path or a narrow track.
This name
AnsteyDerived from a location in Leicestershire, referring to a settlement situated by a steep path.
also spelled
Anstie
Anstey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
The National Archives, Sussex Parish Registers, Series RG 4
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
