Map of England showing where the Armstrong arms are recorded
The Armstrong arms were recorded in Nottinghamshire, 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 Armstrong 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 Nottinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Armstrong Family in England
The Armstrong name carries a long history rooted in the northern regions of England, where it was often associated with strength and physical prowess. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Nottinghamshire. Historical records from 1620 confirm that the family was actively integrated into the local community during this period. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their great physical power or skill in battle. As the family settled into various English counties, they transitioned from their early reputation as border figures into roles within local governance and agriculture. This movement across the landscape reflects the broader patterns of family migration and social development during the Stuart era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. three pallets az”
RoxburghMangerton · Roxburgh, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Armstrong arms are recorded
The Armstrong arms were recorded in Roxburgh, c. 1748.
Roxburghshire was Scottish border country, fought over for three hundred years. Land was held in return for defending it, and a family that fought needed a shield it could be recognised by.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Armstrong arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Roxburgh.
Origin & History of the Armstrong Family in Scotland
The Armstrong family name originated in the rugged borderlands between Scotland and England, where the clan gained a reputation for strength and resilience. By the time records place family members in the Scottish county of Roxburgh in 1748, the name had already been established in the region for centuries. The family was famously associated with the lawless and turbulent life of the Border Reivers, a group of clans who lived by their own rules in the disputed territory between the two kingdoms. Because of their strategic location, the Armstrongs were often involved in local conflicts and played a significant role in the defense and politics of the Scottish Borders. Over time, they transitioned from their life as border warriors to becoming a settled part of the rural community in Roxburgh, where they contributed to the agricultural and social development of the Scottish Lowlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three dexter arms conjoined at the shoulders and flexed in triangle or, turned up (or cuffed) ar. the hands clenched ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Armstrong arms are recorded
The Armstrong arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Armstrong arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Armstrong Family in Ireland
The Armstrong family name has a distinct history in Ireland that began long before the mid-seventeenth century, though records from Dublin in 1645 provide a clear anchor for their presence in the capital. The name itself is of Anglo-Scottish border origin, and many families bearing it arrived in Ireland during the period of the Ulster Plantation and subsequent land settlements. By the time the family appeared in Dublin records in 1645, they had already begun to integrate into the social and administrative fabric of the country. These early settlers often served as soldiers, merchants, or landholders who helped establish the family as a recognized part of the local community. Over the following decades, the Armstrongs spread from the urban centers into various rural counties, where they adapted to the changing political landscape of Ireland. Their history reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during a time of significant migration and social transformation.
Armstrong Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Strong arm
A person possessing great physical strength or power.
This name
ArmstrongA descriptive nickname for a warrior or someone with exceptional physical prowess.
also spelled
Armstrang
Related arms
Elvinrecorded with Armstrong, same area
Fennrecorded with Armstrong, same area
Hyderecorded with Armstrong, same area
Skarlettrecorded with Armstrong, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
