A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crispe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8835 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de sa., ch. de cinq fers à cheval d'or, les bouts en bas. C.: une giraffe d'or, semée de tourt. de sa., coll. d'or, enchaînée d'arg.”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1665
Where the Crispe Arms Were Recorded
Map of France showing where the Crispe arms are recorded
The Crispe arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1665.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Crispe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Crispe Family in France
The name Crispe likely finds its roots in the French word *cresp*, which was a descriptive term used to identify someone with curly or wavy hair. During the medieval period, it was common for people to be given nicknames based on their physical appearance, and these names eventually became permanent family surnames as they were passed down through generations. While the family established a strong presence in Middlesex by 1665, their ancestors likely migrated from France to England during the centuries of movement between the two nations. This transition often occurred as families sought new opportunities in trade or agriculture across the English Channel. By the time the family was firmly documented in the records of Middlesex, they had already transitioned from being defined by a physical trait in France to becoming a recognized part of the local English community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. a fesse chequy ar. and sa. quartering or, on a chev. sa. five horseshoes gold, another coat of CRISPE”
KentQueeks · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Crispe Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Crispe arms are recorded
The Crispe arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Crispe 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 Crispe Family in England
The surname Crispe has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where members of the family were firmly established by the early 17th century. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person with curly or crisp hair. During the 1600s, the Crispe family became prominent landowners and influential figures in local Kentish society. They were deeply integrated into the regional economy and political life of the time, often serving in roles that required significant local standing. By 1620, the family had already built a reputation for stability and influence within their community. This period marked a time when the family expanded their reach, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the Kent landscape. Their presence during this era reflects the broader history of families who helped shape the identity of southeastern England through generations of local leadership and land management.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crispus
Latin term meaning curly-haired or having curled hair.
This name
CrispeA descriptive surname originally used to identify an individual with curly or frizzy hair.
also spelled
Krispe
Krisp
Crisp
Cryspe
Crysp
Related arms
Beverrecorded with Crispe, same area
Goodwinrecorded with Crispe, same area
Hullrecorded with Crispe, same area
Impeyrecorded with Crispe, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills and other probate records, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
