A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Camm family of England.
Reg. 9845 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a cross engr. gu. in the first quarter a crescent of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Camm Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Camm arms are recorded
The Camm 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 Camm 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 Camm Family in England
The surname Camm is believed to have originated in England as a topographical name, likely describing someone who lived near a crooked or bent feature in the landscape. The word itself is rooted in Old English and Middle English terms that refer to something curved or slanted. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, where records confirm their residence by 1620. During this period, families in York were often involved in the city’s thriving trade and merchant guilds, which allowed them to become integrated into the local urban economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of northern England, transitioning from their rural origins into the professional and civic life of one of the country's most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Camb
A Celtic or Old French term referring to a crooked feature.
This name
CammA topographic name for someone who lived near a crooked river or bend.
also spelled
Kamm
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
