Map of England showing where the Armistead arms are recorded
The Armistead 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 England when the Armistead 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 Armistead Family in England
The Armistead family name originates from the northern regions of England, specifically from the area around Yorkshire. The name itself is derived from the Old English words for "hermit" and "place," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a secluded dwelling or a religious site. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a firm presence in the York area. In 1620, William Armistead departed from England to settle in the Virginia Colony, marking a significant transition for the family line. This migration placed the Armisteads among the early English settlers who helped shape the development of the American colonies. Over the following generations, the family became deeply involved in local government and the agricultural expansion of the region, solidifying their status as prominent figures in early Virginia history.
Armistead Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ermin-stede
Derived from Old English words for a dwelling place or site.
This name
ArmisteadRefers to a person who lived at or near a specific homestead or place of residence.
also spelled
Armitstead
Related arms
Armitsteadvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Garber, Virginia Armistead. The Armistead Family 1635-1910. 1910
Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine. 1897
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
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
