A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coe family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. three piles wavy gu”
The Coe arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Reigning in England when the Coe arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Coe is an ancient English name that likely originated as a nickname derived from the Middle English word "co," which referred to a jackdaw or a similar bird. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Coe family were active in this region, where they were often involved in agriculture and local trade. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural landscape of East Anglia, a part of England known for its strong ties to the wool industry and early maritime activity. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic life of their parish communities, leaving behind a legacy that is still visible in the local history of Norfolk today.
A Middle English term for a jackdaw or a chattering bird.
