A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crispen family of England.
Reg. 8327 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Barry of eight ar. and gu., a bordure engr. sa”
BerksWallingford · Berks, c. 1620
Where the Crispen Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Crispen arms are recorded
The Crispen arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with 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 Crispen 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Crispen Family in England
The family name Crispen originates from the Latin name Crispinus, which means curly-haired. This name became popular across Europe during the Middle Ages because of Saint Crispin, a patron saint of shoemakers. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the English county of Berks. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were settled in this region, where they likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. During this period, families often lived in the same area for generations, which allowed the Crispen name to become firmly rooted in the local community. As the family grew, they contributed to the social and economic life of the English countryside before some members eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crispus
A Latin term meaning curly-haired or having curled hair.
This name
CrispenDerived from a medieval personal name referring to someone with curly hair.
also spelled
Crispint
Crispinne
Krispin
Cryspin
Crispen
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
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bordureA difference between branches of one family
