A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Askham family of England.
Reg. 4220 · 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
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 betw. three dolphins embowed ar”
Englandc. 1675
Where the Askham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Askham arms are recorded
The Askham arms were recorded in England, c. 1675.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Askham 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 Askham Family in England
The family name Askham is a locational surname, meaning it originated from a specific place name rather than a trade or personal nickname. It is derived from the village of Askham, located in the West Riding of Yorkshire, which itself draws its name from the Old English words for ash trees and an enclosed settlement. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records from 1675. During this period, York served as a major regional hub for trade and administration, and families living there were often involved in the city’s vibrant merchant guilds or local governance. The migration of the family from the rural village to the urban center of York suggests a shift toward professional or commercial life during the late Stuart era. This movement reflects the broader social trends of the time, as families sought new opportunities in the growing cities of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ask-ham
Old Norse for ash tree and Old English for homestead or village.
This name
AskhamA habitational name referring to a settlement located near an ash tree grove.
also spelled
Askame
Related arms
Aschamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1675
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
