A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clapp family of England.
Reg. 7425 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vairé gu. and ar. a quarter az. charged with the sun or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Clapp Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Clapp arms are recorded
The Clapp 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 Clapp 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 Clapp Family in England
The surname Clapp is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old English word "clappe," which meant to chatter or to speak loudly. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of York, where they were active members of the local community. By 1620, records indicate that members of the Clapp family were well-settled in this region, participating in the daily life and trade of the area. As the century progressed, some members of the family chose to leave their English homes to seek new opportunities in the American colonies. This migration helped spread the name across the Atlantic, turning a localized English family name into one with a much broader geographic reach.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clapa
An Old Norse byname meaning smooth, sleek, or nimble.
This name
ClappA locative or descriptive surname derived from a nickname for a person with a smooth or agile nature.
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
Clapp, Ebenezer, The Clapp Memorial: Record of the Clapp Family in America, 1876
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
