Map of England showing where the Assar arms are recorded
The Assar 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 Assar 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 Assar Family in England
The history of the Assar family in England is rooted in the bustling city of York during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents within this historic northern hub. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, placing the family at the heart of a rapidly changing society. While the name itself may have origins linked to ancient linguistic roots or regional nicknames, its presence in York suggests that the family was part of the local merchant or artisan class that helped define the city’s character. Living in York during the reign of King James I meant navigating a time of religious transition and economic growth. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local community through their daily labor and civic participation, laying a foundation for the family name that would persist through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Asger
Old Norse name meaning god and spear.
This name
AssarA patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse name meaning spear of the gods.
also spelled
Asore
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Dobson, R. B., York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1396-1500, 1980
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
