A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ashman family of England.
Reg. 9603 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, on a bend gu. betw. two talbots' heads erased sa. three fleurs-de-lis ar”
WiltsLymmington · Wilts, c. 1620
Where the Ashman Arms Were Recorded
Wilts
Map of England showing where the Ashman arms are recorded
The Ashman arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Ashman 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Ashman Family in England
The surname Ashman is an occupational name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally given to individuals who worked as burners of ash, a common task in an era when wood ash was a vital ingredient for making soap, glass, and fertilizer. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Wiltshire. Records show that members of the Ashman family were living in this region by 1620, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the rural landscape. Over time, these families became deeply rooted in the local community, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the Wiltshire countryside as they passed their name down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aesc
Old English word for the ash tree.
This name
AshmanA person who lived near an ash tree or worked as a spear maker.
also spelled
Ashmon
Ashmen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
