A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cobham family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4218 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, ch. de trois étoiles rayonnantes de sa. C.: une tête de Sarasin, tort. d'or et de gu.”
KentKent, c. 1700
Where the Cobham Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Cobham arms are recorded
The Cobham arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1700.
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 Cobham 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Cobham Family in Britain
The family name Cobham originates from a small village of the same name in the county of Kent. In Old English, the name likely combined the word for a cottage with the word for a river settlement, suggesting that the earliest ancestors lived near the local stream. By the time the name became established as a formal surname, the family was deeply connected to the landscape of southeastern England. While records show the family was firmly settled in Kent by the year 1700, their roots in the region stretch back much further into the medieval period. Members of the family were often involved in local administration and land management, which helped the name persist through centuries of social change. As the family grew, they remained tied to the agricultural and social life of the Kentish countryside, eventually spreading their influence across the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chev. or, three lions ramp. sa”
KentKent, c. 1313
Where the Cobham Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Cobham arms are recorded
The Cobham arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1313.
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.
Edward II of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward II of England
1307–1327
Reigning in Britain when the Cobham 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 Cobham Family in England
The family name Cobham originates from a village of the same name located in the county of Kent. During the early fourteenth century, the family established themselves as prominent landowners in this region. By 1313, historical records confirm that members of the Cobham family held significant influence and served in important roles within the local administration. They were deeply connected to the landscape of Kent, and their rise in status was closely tied to their service to the English Crown. Over several generations, the family expanded their reach by acquiring various manors and estates throughout southern England. Their history reflects the broader patterns of medieval landholding, where families often took their names from the specific places where they first settled and built their homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cobb-ham
A combination of the Old English personal name Cobba and homestead.
This name
CobhamRefers to a settlement or village belonging to a person named Cobba.
also spelled
Kobham
Cobhame
Kobam
Cobeham
Related arms
Cobehamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Wallenberg, J. K., The Place-Names of Kent, 1934
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Cobham, P92
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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
