A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clarence family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9589 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de gu. à deux lions affr. d'or; au 2 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or [Armes de John de Clarence, fils naturel de Plantagenot duc de Clarence.]”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Clarence Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Clarence arms are recorded
The Clarence arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Clarence arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Clarence Family in Britain
The family name Clarence has deep roots in the historical landscape of Britain, particularly within the county of Kent where records confirm the presence of the family by the year 1700. The name itself is derived from the Latin term *Clarentius*, which was historically associated with the honor of Clare in Suffolk and the royal title of the Duke of Clarence. While many families adopted surnames based on their trade or physical appearance, the Clarence name is linked to a geographic and noble tradition that evolved over several centuries. By the turn of the 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the rural communities of Kent, likely working as landowners or tradespeople during a period of significant agricultural growth. These early ancestors lived through a time when local parish records became the primary way to track family history, allowing us to see how the name persisted across generations in the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per chev. gu. and az. in chief two lions combatant or, in base a fleur-de-lis of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Clarence Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Clarence arms are recorded
The Clarence 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 Britain when the Clarence 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 Clarence Family in England
The name Clarence finds its roots in the Latin term *Clarentius*, which was historically associated with the royal Dukedom of Clarence. While the name began as a title of nobility linked to the English crown, it eventually transitioned into a personal name and a family surname. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Clarence family were established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early family members were likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became more fixed within the social fabric of northern England, moving away from its royal origins to become a distinct identifier for families living and working in the bustling streets of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clarus
Latin word meaning clear, bright, or famous.
This name
ClarenceDerived from the title of the Duke of Clarence, signifying one who is clear or illustrious.
also spelled
Clarens
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1750
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
