A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Churchman family of England.
Reg. 0158 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Barry of four sa. and ar. on a chief of the second two pales of the first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Churchman Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Churchman arms are recorded
The Churchman arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Churchman 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 Churchman Family in England
The surname Churchman originated in England as an occupational name, likely identifying an individual who served as a caretaker, sexton, or official associated with a local parish church. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in London, a period marked by significant social and economic shifts in the city. Records confirm that members of the Churchman family were active residents of the capital by 1620, living during a time when London was a bustling center of trade and religious transition. As the city grew, these individuals often integrated into the urban fabric as skilled tradespeople or merchants, contributing to the development of the metropolitan community. This early history reflects the broader movement of families toward the city to seek new opportunities during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cirice
Old English term for a building used for Christian worship.
This name
ChurchmanAn occupational surname for someone who lived near or worked at a church.
also spelled
Churchmon
Churchmen
Related arms
Chirchmanvariant 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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
