A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Camber family of England.
Reg. 8662 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three bends raguly ar. on a chief of the second as many Saxon crowns of the first”
EssexTilbury · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Camber Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Camber arms are recorded
The Camber arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Camber 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Camber Family in England
The surname Camber is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographical name for people who lived near a "camber," which was a term used to describe a curved or arched piece of land or a bend in a river. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records confirm that members of the Camber family were living in this region by 1620, a time when many families were deeply connected to the agricultural and local trade life of the English countryside. Because Essex was a hub for maritime activity and trade near London, the family likely participated in the evolving economy of the era. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their history in the region, reflecting both the geography of their ancestral home and the steady growth of the family line during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cambra
A chamber or room derived from Old French and Latin camera.
This name
CamberAn occupational surname for someone who worked in a chamber or a room.
also spelled
Cambeeres
Related arms
Cambeeres, or Chambersvariant 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 British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
