Map of England showing where the Cheeseman arms are recorded
The Cheeseman arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Cheeseman 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Cheeseman Family in England
The surname Cheeseman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who made or sold cheese. During the Middle Ages, many people adopted surnames based on their daily work, and those involved in the dairy trade were essential to local village economies. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records confirm that members of the Cheeseman family were living in this region by 1620, where they likely worked as farmers or tradespeople within the rural landscape. Because Kent was a major agricultural hub at the time, families with this name were well-positioned to contribute to the local production of food and goods. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the area, reflecting a long history of craftsmanship tied to the pastoral traditions of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caseus
Latin word for cheese.
This name
CheesemanAn occupational surname for a person who made or sold cheese.
also spelled
Cheseman
Chiesman
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
