Map of England showing where the Canham arms are recorded
The Canham 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 Canham 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 Canham Family in England
The surname Canham is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a specific landmark or a small settlement. While the name is associated with various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, and families like the Canhams were often involved in the local craft guilds or merchant networks that defined city life. As the family grew, they integrated into the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the steady development of the city. Their presence in such a prominent historical center suggests that the family was part of the growing middle class that helped shape the character of Northern England during the early seventeenth century.
Canham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cane
Old English term for a small or narrow valley or hollow.
This name
CanhamDerived from a topographic location referring to someone who lived by a small valley or hollow.
also spelled
Canneham
Kanhame
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, Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records: Probate Records and Wills, 1620
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