A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cotes family of England.
Reg. 9812 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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)
“Per pale or and az. two dolphins erect counterchanged on a chief gu. a covered cup betw. as many dovecots of the first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1542
Where the Cotes Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Cotes arms are recorded
The Cotes arms were recorded in London, c. 1542.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Cotes 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 Cotes Family in England
The family name Cotes is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near small shelters or cottages. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the bustling environment of London. Records from 1542 confirm that members of the Cotes family were active participants in the city’s social and economic life during the reign of King Henry VIII. As London expanded into a major center of trade and politics, these early residents likely worked as merchants or skilled tradesmen, contributing to the growth of the capital. Their transition from rural origins to the heart of a growing metropolis reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in the city during the Tudor period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cote
An Old English term for a small cottage, hut, or shelter.
This name
CotesRefers to a person who lived in or near a small cottage or animal shed.
also spelled
Coates
Cottis
Coote
Related arms
Coatssimilar arms
Coatesvariant spelling
Cootevariant spelling
Cotysvariant 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
The National Archives, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 17, 1542
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
