A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arches family of England.
Reg. 5021 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bridgeOne who joins what was divided
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 door arches ar. their capitals and pedestals or (another, the arches or)”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Arches Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Arches arms are recorded
The Arches arms were recorded in Devonshire, 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 Arches 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Arches Family in England
The surname Arches is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely functioned as a topographic name for families living near a prominent bridge or a series of arched stone structures. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devonshire. Records from 1620 show that these early settlers were deeply embedded in the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and maritime trades that defined the region during the reign of King James I. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the West Country, contributing to the development of local parishes and the expansion of rural life in the coastal areas of southern England. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled into specific English counties and built lasting legacies through generations of local stewardship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arcus
Latin term meaning a bow, arch, or curved structure.
This name
ArchesA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent archway or bridge.
also spelled
Archis
Archys
Archesse
Related arms
Archasvariant spelling
Allenrecorded with Arches, same area
Beynham, or Eynonrecorded with Arches, same area
Haydonrecorded with Arches, same area
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, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
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bridgeOne who joins what was divided
bridgeOne who joins what was divided
