A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cambridge family of England.
Reg. 2309 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three garbs or”
LeicesterLeicester, c. 1619
Where the Cambridge Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Cambridge arms are recorded
The Cambridge arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Cambridge 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Cambridge Family in England
The family name Cambridge is a locative surname, meaning it was originally adopted by individuals who lived in or near the famous university town of Cambridge. While the name is tied to that specific geographic location, historical records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in Leicester by 1619. During the seventeenth century, families often moved across English counties to find new opportunities in trade or agriculture. Settling in Leicester suggests that these early ancestors were likely part of the growing merchant or yeoman classes who were active in the Midlands at the time. By moving away from the town that gave them their name, the family helped spread the identity across different regions of England, turning a simple place name into a lasting family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grantabrycge
Old English for bridge over the river Granta.
This name
CambridgeRefers to a person who originated from the city of Cambridge in England.
also spelled
Cambrige
Cambrigge
Related arms
Goodladsimilar arms
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
Leicestershire Archives, Records of the Archdeaconry of Leicester: Wills and Administrations, 1619
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
