A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blithe family of England.
Reg. 8379 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a fesse gu. three lions ramp. or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1575
Where the Blithe Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Blithe arms are recorded
The Blithe arms were recorded in London, c. 1575.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Blithe 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 Blithe Family in England
The surname Blithe originates from the Old English word blithe, which translates to cheerful, gentle, or merry. During the late sixteenth century, the name was likely used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a particularly happy or lighthearted temperament. By 1575, records confirm that members of the Blithe family were established residents of London. At this time, London was a rapidly growing center of trade and commerce, and families like the Blithes were often involved in the city's expanding merchant classes or skilled craft guilds. As the family settled into urban life, they contributed to the vibrant social fabric of the capital, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local administrative documents that mark their presence during the Elizabethan era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
blithe
Old English word meaning gentle, kind, or merry.
This name
BlitheA descriptive nickname for a person with a cheerful, happy, or carefree disposition.
also spelled
Blyth
Blythe
Related arms
Blythvariant spelling
Blythevariant 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, 1958
London Metropolitan Archives, St. Dionis Backchurch Parish Registers, 1575
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
