A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Attree family of England.
Reg. 8171 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Per chev. or and vert, in chief two oak trees eradicated ppr. and in base a cinquefoil of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Attree Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Attree arms are recorded
The Attree 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 Attree 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 Attree Family in England
The surname Attree is a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In Middle English, the name translates to "at the tree," suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely resided near a prominent or notable tree that served as a local landmark. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Attree family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in Northern England, likely participating in the local trades and civic life that defined the city. While the name began as a simple way to identify a neighbor by their surroundings, it evolved into a permanent family identifier that has been passed down through generations for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
At Tree
A locative preposition combined with a woody perennial plant.
This name
AttreeA topographic name for someone who lived in the vicinity of a prominent tree.
also spelled
Attrey
Attrie
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
cinquefoilHope and joy
