A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Askam family of England.
Reg. 3471 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a fesse or, betw. three dolphins ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Askam Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Askam arms are recorded
The Askam 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 Askam 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 Askam Family in England
The surname Askam is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old Norse words "askr," meaning ash tree, and "hamr," meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely lived in or near a settlement characterized by ash trees, such as Askham in North Yorkshire. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Askam family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Askams were often involved in the civic and commercial activities that defined the city’s growth. As the family moved through the generations, they transitioned from being associated with a single rural homestead to becoming part of the urban fabric of one of England’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ask-ham
Old Norse for ash tree and Old English for homestead or village.
This name
AskamA habitational name referring to a settlement located near an ash tree grove.
also spelled
Ascham
Askaum
Askem
Related arms
Aschamvariant spelling
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, 1997
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire, 1928
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
