A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bloe family of England.
Reg. 2686 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chief ar. three lozenges sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bloe Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bloe arms are recorded
The Bloe 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 Bloe 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 Bloe Family in England
The surname Bloe carries a long history rooted in the northern regions of England, with records confirming that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a bustling center for trade and religious life, and families like the Bloes were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific geographic feature in the landscape, reflecting the common naming customs of the era. As these early ancestors navigated the social and political shifts of the Stuart period, they contributed to the local community through their work and daily interactions. Over time, the family name became a permanent part of the regional identity, marking the Bloes as a lineage deeply connected to the historical fabric of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaw
A Middle English term referring to a blue or dark-colored complexion.
This name
BloeA descriptive nickname for an individual with a dark, swarthy, or bluish skin tone.
also spelled
Bloss
Related arms
Blossvariant spelling
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 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
