A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cressey family of England.
Reg. 8402 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. double queued sa. armed and langued gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cressey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cressey arms are recorded
The Cressey 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 England when the Cressey 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 Cressey Family in England
The surname Cressey is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locative name derived from the village of Crécy in northern France. Following the Norman Conquest, families bearing this name settled across various English counties, establishing themselves as landholders and local figures of note. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established a presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cressey family were active participants in the civic and social life of this region during the reign of King James I. Their transition from regional landowners to urban residents in York highlights the mobility of families during this period as they sought new opportunities in growing trade centers. This early history reflects a broader pattern of English families moving from rural estates into the heart of established cities to build their legacies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cressy
A place name derived from the Old French word for watercress.
This name
CresseyA habitational surname referring to individuals who originated from the town of Cressy in France.
also spelled
Cressy
Cresse
Related arms
Cressevariant spelling
Cressyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
