Map of England showing where the Atterberry arms are recorded
The Atterberry 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 Atterberry 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 Atterberry Family in England
The surname Atterberry is a topographical name that originated in England. It is derived from the Old English words "at" and "berie," which together mean someone who lived near a fortified town or a stronghold. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there often held roles tied to the local merchant guilds or the administration of the city. As the family grew, the spelling of the name evolved through various forms as it was recorded in parish registers and legal documents. This evolution reflects the way names were written down based on how they sounded to local clerks at the time. The presence of the family in York suggests they were part of the stable middle class that helped sustain the city during the early seventeenth century.
Atterberry Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Atte Berie
Middle English prepositional phrase meaning at the berry or hill.
This name
AtterberryA topographic surname for someone who lived near a prominent hill or berry-bearing bush.
also spelled
Atberrie
Atbury
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
