A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cape family of England.
Reg. 8805 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. a lion ramp. betw. three escallops ar. . . . on a chief erm. a sword and branch of oak crossing each”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cape Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cape arms are recorded
The Cape 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 Cape 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 Cape Family in England
The family name Cape is rooted in the northern regions of England, where it emerged as a descriptive surname during the Middle Ages. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who frequently wore a distinctive cloak or cape, or it may have identified a person who lived near a specific geographical feature known by that term. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Cape family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled crafts that supported the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of northern England, contributing to the local community through their work and daily lives in the historic city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cappa
A Latin term referring to a hooded cloak or mantle.
This name
CapeAn occupational name for a maker or seller of cloaks or capes.
also spelled
Capps
Caps
Related arms
Cappvariant spelling
Cappsvariant spelling
Capsvariant 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
