A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Covert family of England.
Reg. 5077 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. a fesse erm. betw. three martlets or”
KentKent, c. 1558
Where the Covert Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Covert arms are recorded
The Covert arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1558.
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.
Mary I
Sovereign of the period
Mary I
1553–1558
Reigning in England when the Covert 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 Covert Family in England
The surname Covert is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely functioned as a topographic name for someone who lived near a thicket or a sheltered area of woodland. The word itself comes from the Old French term *couvert*, which described a hidden or protected place. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records confirm that members of the Covert family were active in this region by 1558, often serving as landowners and local officials during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Over time, the family spread from these Kentish roots to other parts of southern England, playing a consistent role in the agricultural and social development of their local parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
covert
Derived from the Old French word meaning a thicket or shelter.
This name
CovertRefers to someone who lived near a thicket or a sheltered woodland area.
also spelled
Covart
Related arms
Courtesimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
