A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crimes family of England.
Reg. 2317 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, three bars gu. charged with as many martlets ar. on a chief of the last two bars nebulée az”
DevonBuckland Monachorum · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Crimes Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Crimes arms are recorded
The Crimes arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Crimes 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Crimes Family in England
The family name Crimes has deep roots in the coastal county of Devon, England, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, the name was likely linked to the local landscape or the specific occupations of those living in the rural parishes of the West Country. Families in 17th-century Devon often lived in tight-knit agricultural communities, and the name may have evolved from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific geographic landmark known to the local population. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and parish activities that defined life in early modern England. By tracing their presence back to this era, we can see that the Crimes family was well-integrated into the local history of Devon long before the industrial changes of later centuries altered the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
crimen
Latin term for a fault, accusation, or judicial charge.
This name
CrimesAn occupational or descriptive name for a person involved in legal proceedings or a criminal act.
also spelled
Crymes
Related arms
Crymesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Lay Subsidy Rolls, E 179
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
